In order to understand the meaning of Shaosha it is not enough to simply follow its recommendations for proper living, but also to feel what is good and what is bad in our situation. In this sense, whereas cleansing is of paramount importance, in order to gain the necessary experience, it is also equally important to experiment with ourselves. Knowing a good dietetic program does not, automatically, imply that we know what to eat. Whereas wild animals know when, how much and what to eat, and can easily find the healing herbs they need, human beings, on the other hand, in order to know how to eat and live need to redevelop this instinct. Besides, as each individual situation is as unique as each human being, the available recommendations, which cover only general situations, are not necessarily applicable to all of us. 

The true Shaosha method involves a cleaning period of a month, during which only a minimum amount of food, consisting of germinated cereals and plain water, is consumed. This should not make people exhaust themselves, and therefore, when feelings of malaise like weakness or dizziness occur, it is advisable to increase the daily dosage of porridge. Following this month of dietary restrictions, other varieties of food should be slowly introduced in the diet. At this time, try to listen carefully to what your body says:  what is beneficial for you? What is bad for you? How much food do you need to eat?

As to quantities, you can eat as much as you want, avoid however to poison yourself by eating too much. When your sense of taste is not easily pleased and your stomach keeps on demanding more food, try to eat something salty or spicy and, in this way, all the reflectors will receive the necessary charge.

When, after eating some meat, an excess of bile secretion gives you a feeling of hunger, drink a few glasses of water: in this way the bile will be washed out and you will feel better. If you suffer from a stomach disease or bad digestion, eat twice a day. If you find it hard to be moderate, try and eat smaller quantities more often. By the way, in periods of intense meditation, in order to prevent to be distracted by feelings of hunger, you should eat some light and easily digestible food every three hours. 

The ‘once a week fasting’ is done at first by not eating anything for 24 hours. Before starting it, eat something in the morning and, then, do not eat anything at all ‘till the next day’s breakfast. Having done this, a week later, you can fast for 36 hours. Once a week you should also have a party. However, in between fasting and partying, you should allow for an interval of at least two days, during which you should do group practices. Try to always act from a state of full awareness and to make sure that everything serves the purpose of striving for the Highest. If you have no spiritual friends, write us a letter and we will try to help you.

It is very good to fast three days a month, every month. Make sure that you eat less with the waning moon and more with the waxing moon.  The full moon is Yin and, in this period, it is advisable to eat more Yang food. Once a year you should also fast under the guidance of a ‘pratjachara’.

And now a few words about water. Do not drink too much water, as water is Yin and it has a weakening power, especially when the weather is hot. It is good, however, to drink some water before a practice. Before drinking always pour the water from one glass to another seven times.

Last, but not least, be careful not to eat too much sugar or sweet food, and to prefer mainly Yang foods, especially when you feel weak or have low blood pressure, as well as when you are oversensitive or have diarrhoea.

Everything in nature pertains to either Yin or Yang: the whole universe is based on the cooperation of these two powers, energies and principles. Yang pertains to anything hot, centripetal and active. Yang represents the male principle of the universe. Yin pertains to anything cold, passive centripetal.  Yin represents the female principle of the universe. Yin and Yang are two opposite and complementary forces, which through opposition as well as dialectic striving for union create all differentiations and varieties in the world. Yin is manifested in inwards power, whereas Yang in outward power. Whereas summer pertains to Yang and winter to Yin, spring and autumn mark the transition from Yin to Yang and vice versa.

Yin and Yang do not manifest only in the outer world, but also in the inner world of human beings, whom these two forces generate.  When these two forces are harmonious, a human being as a whole is, also, in harmony. This is the condition normally called ‘health’. Human beings interchange Yin and Yang energies with the Universe, not only through eating, but also through breathing.

All human beings have channels through which energy flows.  It follows that a stagnation of energy (Yin), from emotional distress, for instance, or an extreme energetic tension (Yang) may cause sick manifestations, which are propagated throughout and affect the internal organs, causing, also, digestive emotional problems.

When Yin and Yang are rebalanced, all illnesses disappear and, therefore, it is not necessary to take medications. By keeping these two energies in balance after being cured you will be able stay healthy. 

Remember, however, that in nature, energy levels are not constant, but variable: sometimes higher, sometimes lower.

Proper eating habits can contribute to restoring the balance between Yin and Yang and, for this reason they are useful both in the prevention and in the treatment of an illness. 

When Yin and Yang are rebalanced, all illnesses disappear and, therefore, it is not necessary to take medications. By keeping these two energies in balance after being cured you will be able stay healthy. 

Remember, however, that in nature, energy levels are not constant, but variable: sometimes higher, sometimes lower.

Proper eating habits can contribute to restoring the balance between Yin and Yang and, for this reason they are useful both in the prevention and in the treatment of an illness. 

In the tables below you can check, which energy dominates you (table 1) and what you should eat in order to rebalanced yourself (table 2).

Yin and Yang food classification according to Eastern medical sciences