Showing posts with label spiritual exercises. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spiritual exercises. Show all posts

Tuesday, July 21, 2026

Western boxing vs. Eastern martial arts


Another one bites the mat (Yi Long Shaolin)
When it comes to fighting or avoiding a fight at all costs, we have to look at our friendship bracelet that read "WWBLD?" Of course, that stands for "What would Bruce Lee do?" Following the Zen way of the Tao, noninterference with the flow of nature, we'd go around trouble and pick the path of peace. But, y'know, as Kwai Chang Caine found out so many times, sometimes trouble finds you. Then in that case, redirect the violent opponent's own energy against that person.

Buddhist Shaolin kung fu warrior monks
Shaolin Buddhist temple Zen (Chan) monks demonstrate wonders of Shaolin kung fu
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Shaolin Goddess of Compassion
Shaolin kung fu (Chinese 少林功夫, Pinyin Shàolín gōngfū, Shaolin Wushu, 少林武術, Shǎolín wǔshùShaolin quan, 少林拳, Shàolínquán), is the largest and most famous style of the martial art of kung fu. It combines Mahayana Buddhist, Chinese Chan (Zen) philosophy, and martial arts [1]. It was developed in the legendary Shaolin Temple (monastery) in Henan, China during its 1,500-year history [2]. In Chinese folklore there is a saying, "Shaolin kung fu is the best under heaven." It indicates its superiority among the martial arts. "All martial arts under heaven originated from Shaolin," which indicates its influence on other martial arts. The name "Shaolin" is also used as a brand for the external styles of kung fu. Many styles in southern and northern China use the name Shaolin. More

It can't be real! Training's way too hard!

Kill 'em All and Fight Til Death
Call me a Pollack, and I kill you.
Best known as "Andrew Golota," Andrzej Jan Gołota (born Jan. 5, 1968) was a Polish professional boxer who competed from 1992 to 2013. He challenged four times for a heavyweight world title, by all four major sanctioning bodies, and as an amateur won a bronze medal in the heavyweight division at the 1988 Olympics. Despite his accomplishments and more than 40 professional wins, Golota is perhaps best known for twice being disqualified against Black American boxer Riddick Bowe for repeated low blows to the groin in fights that Golota was winning. On Oct. 4, 1997, he became the first Pole to challenge for a heavyweight boxing crown when he fought WBC champion Lennox Lewis at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City. He had a bout with Mike Tyson in 2000, which he first withdrew from, but afterward was ruled no-contest. In Nov. 2016, Golota was inducted into the Illinois Boxing Hall of Fame. Favorite music? Probably brutal Polish death metal band VaderMore


  • Boxing Game; BBC Sacred Wonders; Pfc. Sandoval, CC Liu, Seth Auberon, Dhr. Seven (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Saturday, June 6, 2026

Was Bruce Lee even human? (video)

(The Dojo) 20 best moments of Bruce Lee fighting ever recorded

Was Bruce Lee even a real human?
Fights break out: Enter the Dragon
(BruceLeeRealFight) Three stuntmen tried to start actual fights
Teacher could stop Bruce Lee with finger
(Discoveries) How could Sifu (Teacher) Ip Man, 61, beat Bruce Lee?

Bruce Lee's philosophy: Jeet Kune Do
Jeet Kune Do Chinese (JKD, 截拳道, literally "Stop Fist Way," figuratively, the "Way of the Intercepting Fist") is Bruce Lee's hybrid martial arts style, which he conceived of and practiced. It centers on the principle of counterattacking opponents in order to impede their offense [12, 13].

As an eclectic martial art, it relies on a style of fighting heavily influenced by Wing Chun, Tai Chi, taekwondo, boxing, fencing, and jujutsu [14, 15].

JKD, which Lee intended to have practical applications in life without the traditional routines and metaphysics of conventional martial arts, also incorporates a set of principles to help practitioners make quick decisions and improve their mental and physical health [13, 16].

Lee, who based JKD on his experiences in unarmed fighting and self-defense, as well as on his Zen Buddhist, eclectic, Confucian, and Taoist philosophies [14, 17], did not formally codify JKD before his death.

As a result, JKD practitioners have had to rely on their own interpretations of Lee's philosophy [18, 19]. More

Tuesday, June 2, 2026

Bruce Lee: True meaning of martial arts

Don't fight like fire; dance like water
Bruce Lee
, what are the martial arts? Are they combat for war, a lack of peace, or something more?

Poet philosopher Bruce Lee was born Lee Jun-fan on Nov. 27, 1940, passing away at 32 on July 20, 1973. He was an American and Hong Kong mixed martial artist, teacher, actor, Hollywood superstar, and filmmaker.

He was the founder of Jeet Kune Do, a hybrid martial arts philosophy ["Lee-ism"?], which was formed from his experiences in unarmed fighting and self-defense—as well as eclectic, Zen Buddhist, Taoist, and Confucian philosophies—as a new school of martial arts thought [2, 3].

Standing on the shoulders of giants (symbol)
With a career spanning the United States and Hong Kong [4, 5, 6], Lee is regarded as the first global Chinese film star and one of the most influential martial artists in the history of cinema [7].

Known for his roles in five feature-length martial arts films, he is credited with helping to popularize martial arts films in the 1970s and promoting Hong Kong action cinema [8, 9].


I will kill you, Lee! - No, you won't, Tough Guy, because you didn't see this coming. Hah!

 
Smile. It's good for body and chi.
Born in San Francisco
and raised in Hong Kong, Lee was introduced to the Hong Kong film industry as a child actor by his father, Mr. Lee Hoi-chuen [10].

Lee's early martial arts experience included Wing Chun (trained under Ip Man), tai chi, boxing (winning a Hong Kong boxing tournament), and frequent street fighting (neighborhood and rooftop fights).

He moved to Seattle in 1959, enrolling at the University of Washington in 1961 [11]. More

Wednesday, April 15, 2026

Bruce Lee on Muscle Beach, Los Angeles



In 1971, Bruce Lee was enjoying a day with his wife Linda Lee Cadwell and family at "Muscle Beach," a portion of Venice Beach next to Santa Monica under LAX's flight path, when Kurt Wagner — a 315-pound strongman who could deadlift 750 pounds — publicly challenged his Buddhist/Taoist/Chinese philosophy.

What happened in the next six seconds shocked the entire "Muscle Beach" crowd and changed strength culture forever.

This is the untold story of when raw power met precision, when mass confronted understanding, and when a world-champion strongman learned that everything he believed about strength was incomplete.

🥋 The confrontation that Muscle Beach never forgot
🥋 How a 135-pound man dropped a 315-pound giant in six seconds
🥋 The solar plexus strike that penetrates through muscle
🥋 Why mass without wisdom is just weight to carry
🥋 The strongman who became Bruce Lee's student

Kurt Wagner thought his 315 pounds of muscle made him unstoppable. Bruce Lee showed him that technique, properly applied, can overcome any size advantage — not through luck, not through tricks, but through deep understanding of anatomy, physics, and human movement.

This is the legacy of Bruce Lee teaching that real strength isn't measured in pounds, but in wisdom and understanding.

Joe Rogan: This is impossible 

(The Hidden Record) Only Dr. Joel Wallach (criticalhealthnews.com) knows what killed legendary and superhuman Bruce Lee (Kung Fu, Jeet Kune DoChinese martial arts). It was his bad diet, going to extremes, killed by gluten and insufficient micro and macro nutrients.

Saturday, February 7, 2026

Yoga Expo Los Angeles, Pasadena (Feb. 7)


Yoga is easy fun for every body.
Discover new yoga modalities, wellness innovation, and headliners Travis Eliot and Lauren Eckstrom at Yoga Expo LA 2026. All ages. The Yoga Expo LA 2026 is a Forward-Thinking Gathering of Yoga, Wellness, and Innovation.

Join in on Saturday, February 7th, 2026, at the prestigious Pasadena Convention Center for the nation’s largest yoga-inspired gathering.

Now in its 8th year, The Yoga Expo LA is evolving to highlight the future of yoga, wellness innovation, and conscious community building. This all-day immersive event welcomes 3,000+ attendees and features:

🌟 World-Renowned Headliners: Practice with Travis Eliot and Lauren Eckstrom, co-founders of Inner Dimension TV, as they lead powerful, transformational sessions designed to inspire and elevate.

🧘 Yoga for Every Body: Experience diverse styles and new modalities—from vinyasa and restorative to trauma-informed practices, sound healing, and next-generation yoga hybrids.

🌱 Wellness Innovation: Explore the latest in holistic living, biohacking, functional wellness, mindfulness technologies, and sustainable lifestyle solutions.

🛍️ Curated Marketplace: Discover eco-conscious brands, yoga apparel, clean beauty, superfoods, supplements, and regenerative wellness products.

🎤 Presentations and Workshops: Engage with teachers, healers, and facilitators offering classes, talks, and practices to deepen this journey. Each exhibitor receives a 50-minute presentation slot to connect directly with attendees.

🤝 Community and Connection: Network with studio owners, retreat leaders, conscious entrepreneurs, and fellow seekers who are shaping the future of wellness.

✨ Opportunities to Participate: Presenters, Teachers, Facilitators: Share gifts on stage.

Exhibitors and Brands: Showcase products and services.

Sponsors and Partners: Align with a trusted platform and reach a highly engaged audience.

The Yoga Expo LA 2026 is more than an event—it’s a movement of forward-thinking wellness and conscious connection. Be part of a day that inspires, educates, and uplifts.

👉 Visit TheYogaExpo.org to register as an attendee, presenter, exhibitor, or sponsor.
  • Saturday, Feb. 7th, 2026
  • 10:00 am-6:00 pm
  • 9:00 AM VIP early entry
WHAT TO EXPECT
Enter the healing salon pyramid.
🌟 Headliners: Travis Eliot and Lauren Eckstrom: Experience transformational practices with Travis Eliot and Lauren Eckstrom, world-renowned yoga teachers and co-founders of Inner Dimension TV, leading main-stage sessions that will inspire, challenge, and uplift.

Yoga and Movement: From energizing vinyasa flows to restorative practices and cutting-edge new modalities, there’s something for every body.

Move, breathe, and expand practice while exploring the future of yoga. Expect classes all day long led by a diverse lineup of teachers, plus live music, movement, and community networking.

🧘🏾‍♂️ Meditation and Mindfulness
What would Patanjali do? (Yoga Sutras)
Discover accessible yet powerful meditation practices rooted in ancient wisdom and adapted for today’s world. Learn tools for stress relief, resilience, and clarity from teachers blending tradition with modern insights.

💡 Keynotes, Panels, and Wellness Innovation: Join inspiring talks, panels, and forums led by industry leaders, exploring yoga philosophy, integrative health, wellness tech, biohacking, longevity, and conscious business. This is where movement meets personal and professional growth.

👩🏼‍👦🏼 Family and Little Yogis: Yoga is for all ages! Kids can explore yoga, mindfulness, breathing techniques, and creative activities in a safe, playful space—making The Yoga Expo a family-friendly experience.

🛍️ Marketplace: Explore over 125+ conscious brands from local artisans to global innovators. Discover yoga apparel, retreats, clean skincare, wellness products, cultural crafts, and sustainable solutions—all curated to inspire conscious living.

🌿 Organic Food and Beverage Sampling: Fuel the day with delicious, health-focused food and drinks. Enjoy tastings and options ranging from vegan, organic, gluten-free, and non-GMO to innovative wellness snacks and beverages.

✨ Community and Connection: Beyond classes and products, The Yoga Expo LA is about connection—meeting teachers, practitioners, conscious entrepreneurs, and seekers who are shaping the future of wellness. Be Part of a Transformational Experience Step into a day of yoga, movement, and mindful living, hosted by Arianne Traverso and Sandra Tribioli. Together, they bring decades of expertise in yoga, wellness, and transformational community experiences, curating a space where ancient yogic traditions meet modern innovation.

🌟 Exhibitors and Sponsorships: For exhibitor and sponsor opportunities, connect with: Sandra Tribioli | sandra@theyogaexpo.co

WHAT ATTENDEES SAY
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
  • "There was a great variety of classes offered and lots of different vendors to shop with. It was a fun-filled day, and well worth it! I really enjoyed it and can’t wait for the next one!"
  • "Amazing experience. Tried so many classes—there were endless choices. All the instructors were inspiring and unique!"
  • "Spent the entire day at the expo and was able to enjoy four different classes. The marketplace was out of this world. Already planning for next year!"
  • "Such a beautiful event filled with amazing people and conscious vendors. As a beginner, I felt so welcome—I explored so many styles of yoga. Best weekend ever!"
  • "It was a day full of laughter, joy, and unforgettable memories. The kids were glowing with happiness exploring yoga life."
WHERE TO STAY
⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎⭐︎
Hotel Dena (formerly the Sheraton Pasadena) 📍 Right inside the Convention Center 303 Cordova Street, Pasadena, California, USA, 91101 📞 Toll Free: +1-800-457-7940. Why? Exclusive discounted group rate with breakfast included. (Call hotel directly for updated rates if needed.)

WHAT TO KNOW
💵 Cash-Friendly — Please support vendors. Discover innovative yoga mats, tools, clothing, jewelry, travel destinations, and more.

🎟 VIP & Ultra VIP (High Life) Passes — Enjoy early entry, skip the lines, receive a premium gift bag, and access extra perks.

🧘 Classes — First come, first served. Arrive early to secure a spot.

🚫 Ticket Policy — All ticket sales are final. No refunds. 🌦 Rain or shine — the event will go on regardless of weather.

✨ Learn more or subscribe at TheYogaExpo.org. Thanks to sponsors and partners! Holistic Wander Global Sound Bath and Wisdom Quarterly: American Buddhist Journal

Thursday, December 25, 2025

New Year Sacred Ceremonies (12/27)

  • Come to a conscious yoga party!
    10th Annual New Year Sacred Ceremony, Fundraiser, and Veggie Potluck with Stella Han
  • KINSHIP STUDIOS kinshipyoga.com
  • Highland Park, Northeast Los Angeles
  • Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, 6:00-10:00 pm
  • Room: Studio B
  • Register here: Kinship Studios
Event: Tenth annual New Year Sacred Ceremony (yoga fundraiser for girls, veggie potluck, and gift-giving blanket Native American tradition). Social, potluck, gift-giving blanket price: $25 in advance, $33 day of event.

Beneficiary: Fundraising proceeds will be donated to Yoga Gives Back (YGB), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that empowers women and children in India through education and micro-loans.
ABOUT: Join us for Kinship Yoga’s beloved annual year-end gathering to honor what we are releasing and welcome what we are inviting in. We do this through community, intention setting, and celebration with live music and activities, plus a vegan/vegetarian potluck to share with all -- and lots of gifts.

All fundraising proceeds are donated to Yoga Gives Back (YGB)!

Event Schedule and Flow
  • 6:00 pm–7:45 pm: Sacred Ceremony - a contemplative space honoring the interconnectedness of all life, with culturally respectful observances and shared intentions for peace and renewal in the year ahead.
    • Smudging with Sage – cleanse and ground as we begin.
    • Guided Journaling – reflect on the past year and set clear, heart-aligned intentions.
    • Sacred Chanting – unite our voices and cultivate collective harmony for the New Year.
  • 7:45–10:00 pm: Gift-Giving Blanket, Fundraiser, and Veggie (vegan/vegetarian) Potluck Gift-Giving Blanket – inspired by Native American traditions. Bring one or more new or gently used (mindful) items to place on the blanket, then select a gift someone else has offered. (No purchase necessary—and re-gifting is highly encouraged!
ALL ARE WELCOME—whether or not you're bringing a gift, come to receive.

Fundraiser for Yoga Gives Back
– How? We’ll host a small silent auction and raffle gift certificates. Anyone can also donate monetarily by Venmo: @stella_han_yoga. (Please note “Yoga Gives Back” or “YGB” + your email and phone; this info is visible only to Stella Han). Cash/checks accepted on site. For checks, please write: “Yoga Gives Back.”

Veggie Potluck (optional)
I have to choose what I wear very carefully.
If you’d like to contribute a vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free dish, please email Stella (coordinator) at email stellaheartyoga@gmail.com or come with the dish's name and all ingredients on a small card. All dishes must be vegetarian or preferably vegan (purely plant based). Please include a small ingredient card for transparency (noting any potential allergens. It's appreciated by the health conscious). Potluck contributors will receive 2 raffle tickets—so please let the host know when arriving with one.

What to Wear?
Yoga pants and gear are fine. Or dress warmly and comfortably. Festive or spiritual white attire is welcome (optional) as we gather to set intentions for the New Year.

Questions? Please contact Stella Han by email (stellaheartyoga@gmail.com) or call the studio or send through the Wisdom Quarterly messaging system.

Second party option (FREE)

All are cordially invited to our festive holiday party to celebrate the winter solstice with good cheer and join a candlelight ritual to bring light to animals suffering in dark places around the globe. The ritual includes devotional chanting with Devi Daly as sacred witnessing and an expression of compassion. As the shortest day and longest night of the year, the solstice symbolizes rebirth, renewal, and the return of the light. May our lights usher in a new era of inner peace and peace for all beings! It's a vegan potluck, too. Calabasas, in the San Fernando Valley More

Tuesday, May 27, 2025

Yogi walks barefoot in Himalayan snow

Yogi casually walking in the snow like some kind of Wim Hof (Instagram)
Video shows yogi walking barefoot in Himalayan snow (TOI Trending Desk/etimes.in/5/26/25)
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He did what? I have to step up my practice!
(TOI) A viral video shows a yogi walking barefoot in the freezing, snow-covered Himalayan mountains — and what he says next leaves viewers stunned.

A video shows a yogi walking barefoot in the Himalayas. The yogi is wearing only a thin [linen] cloth. A person recording the video greets him. The yogi says he is coming from Hind Parvat.

He calmly answers questions about the cold and his lack of warm clothing. The video is gaining attention online. Viewers are impressed by his spiritual detachment [rather than the physical obsession we normally exhibit].

The video leaves viewers stunned as it shows a yogi walking barefoot in deep snow, reportedly in the Himalayas. It has gone viral on social media, leaving viewers stunned. What has caught everyone’s attention isn’t any stunt, but the yogi’s calm, peaceful walk through harsh, freezing conditions, wearing nothing but a thin white cloth.

In the video, the yogi, who appears to be in his early 30s, can be seen walking barefoot through thick snow. The person recording the video greets him respectfully, saying, “Jai Kedarnath Maharaj ji” (“Hail Kedarnath, Maharaj-ji” or “Hello, Kedarnath, great holy lord”), then warns him gently, “Aaraam se, aaraam se… kahan se aa rahe ho? (“Careful, careful…where are you coming from?”)

Without hesitation, the yogi replies, “Hind Parvat se aa raha hoon.” Surprised, the man asks again, “Hind Parvat se?” and the yogi calmly repeats, “Haan, Hind Parvat se.” As the two continue talking, the man points toward the snow-covered slopes and asks, “Upar jaa sakte hain? Saari baraf hi dikh rahi hai upar toh” (“Can we go up there? It’s all snow-covered”).


The yogi responds with a smile, “Haan, baraf hi baraf hai” (“Yes, it’s all snow”). The most surprising moment comes when the man, clearly shocked, asks, “Aap aise baraf par nange pair ho?” (“You’re walking barefoot on this snow?”)

The yogi calmly replies, “Nange pair main thodi hoon, yeh toh shareer hai. Yeh shareer nange pair hai, main nahi hoon” (“I am not barefoot – this body is. The body is barefoot, not me”).

The man then says, “Na aapki jacket hai…” (“You’re not even wearing a jacket...”), and the yogi replies, “Kuchh nahi pehna hai” (“I haven’t worn anything special”). Wearing only a thin dhoti, the yogi’s quiet strength and composed presence in the freezing Himalayan cold has drawn admiration and curiosity.

Many online viewers have described it as a powerful example of spiritual detachment and mind-over-body strength, the kind rarely seen in today’s fast-paced world.

While the video continues to gain attention across multiple social media platforms, it was originally shared by the yogi himself, who goes by the username @margdarshakji on Instagram.

The Times of India (TOI) could not independently verify the location, time, or authenticity of the video. Read more at: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
  • Times of India, May 26, 2025; Dhr. Seven, Amber Larson (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Wednesday, January 22, 2025

Buddhist yogis found on Himalayas


Strange monks found in the Himalayas – and they’ve been living since the last ice age
Esoteric Vajrayana/Bon shamanism
(Past the Atlas) From legends defying the limits of life and death to spiritual journeys that leave us in awe, Buddhist monastics have captivated the world for centuries. What drives these extraordinary individuals to push their bodies and minds beyond what we consider humanly possible? Let's explore the mysterious monks of various Buddhist schools of the world and uncover their incredible stories.
The rainbow body appeared like a vision
How this content was made: altered or synthetic content. Sound or visuals were significantly edited or digitally generated [with an AI voiceover]. Learn more
  • Past the Atlas, Jan. 18, 2025; Ashley Wells, Dhr. Seven, CC Liu (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

Tuesday, December 31, 2024

108 Sun Salutations: Yoga New Year (1/1)

What is a "Sun Salutation"? It is a series of linked postures demonstrated here in 13 stages:
Led by Yoga Ambassador Stella Han, MSW
Buddhism is all about mental cultivation or bhavana, right? Who needs the body?

The fact is the wandering ascetic Siddhartha realized this human body is not "in the way." Like happiness (sukha), it is the way. At least it can be.

The first instruction toward enlightenment is? Mindfulness of the body -- breathing, postures, and so on. It's all detailed in the Satipatthana Sutra.
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What better way to move mindfully than the ancient Vedic rishi magic of "union" (yoga) with the breath (prana, spirit) and the All (advaita, our universal interconnectedness)?
Party first: New Year ceremony vegan potluck
The martial arts are martial, that is, related to war and fighting. Qigong and yoga are about peacefully moving energy in the body. Even a very fat, unhealthy, other-abled person could do yoga (e.g., Iyengar Yoga) or begin to move chi (qi, kyi, prana) for health and recovery.

Average Janes and Joes might even be to the point where the practice of saluting the sun (Surya Namaskar) is a good idea. We'll start the New Year doing just that:

Thursday, September 26, 2024

Wisdom of 131-y.-o. fruitarian Yogi


Ultimate wisdom from 131-year-old Yogi Raidas Baba
(The Himalyan Yogini) Aug. 18, 2024: यह एक आध्यात्मिक चैनल है। साधु - संतो की सेवा हेतु आपसे सहयोग राशि अपेक्षित है। अगर आपको वीडियोज पसन्द आ रहे है तो वीडियोज को ज्यादा से ज्याद Share करे, like 👍 करे और, comment अवश्य करे lUPI ID: himalyanyogini@oksbi. Queries will be replied [to] on donation basis only. You can do superthanks or upi.

How to sit for hours in meditation

Is there a way to stand up? - Do yoga.

Posture of Meditation (Johnson)
(Guru Pashupati) Jan. 24, 2024. [(WQ) Here is excellent advice on proper posture. Sitting flat is not the solution. The wandering ascetic Siddhartha Gautama would go to the foot of a tree, make a seat for himself out of kusa grass covered in cloth or leaves and sit in delight for long stretches in peace. Did he do yoga poses? He might have. He certainly walked up and down mindfully for circulation and exercise, walking for alms in the morning, going into seclusion in a pleasant forest grove. Posture is vital for ease of breathing and movement of chi (prana) along the meridians. And lymph needs to move, which is by movement. Here Guru Pashupati is merely pointing out the proper angle, which is not a stiff 90 degrees but a relaxed and elevated position such that the knees are lower than the waistline. The mind has more to do with it (because when the mind is alright, the body is at ease and natural) but the body can help or hinder. Mind-body in harmony is the way to progress.]

Samadhi with Paramahansa Yogananda?

He was very short so always positioned to compensate for that in photos

Commentary: What shall we eat and when?

Ultimate Yogini Jen Love H.
(WQ) India has amazing beings, even today in this Decadent Age (Kali Yuga). There are breatharians, fruitarians, yogis living in the Himalayan foothills in caves surrounded by snow. How is it possible? Breath control is one secret, which is achieved by concentration (samadhi) and breathwork (pranayama).

An important way to begin is purification. Fresh local seasonal fruit in the morning is very purifying (cleansing) for the body because the enzymes are intact and appropriate for the weather. Unfortunately, in the US we have access to everything all the time, and it is neither seasonal, local, nor in its original state because it is kept in suspended animation through refrigeration in the unripe state, ripened artificially with gas and few nutrients that would have been present in naturally ripened pieces.

The people of an area benefit from fruit from that area more than exotic fruit. But due to the altered sugar content of most commercial fruit, we are getting Frankenfruit instead of the work of Mother Nature. If breatharianism is real, fruitarianism (eating only fruit, which may be defined as anything that grows from a plant the eating of which does not kill the plant, so bean, pulses, legumes, and the like may be included).

How would it be possible to live on breath alone? It is not oxygen that is meant by "breath" but rather prana supplemented by sunlight, which through yogic exercises is converted to amrita from under the tongue. These may be practiced with risk under an experienced teacher. To do it otherwise will only wrap us in our assumptions and limited knowledge, dooming us to failure.

It is important to emphasize that the Buddha taught that it is not possible to become enlightened by diet alone. If it were, those who restrict themselves to this or that would be there. And they are not. However, diet is crucial. On one occasion a group of Buddhist wandering ascetics living a distance from the Buddha could not make progress in their meditation. They came to ask the Buddha about it, who recommended they eat from a variety of the eight flavors of food.

This was an ancient system to ensure a variety to get all their nutrients: hard and soft, salty and sweet, astringent and umami, spicy and mild might be those eight. The point is that by being offered a variety of greens and things, they got those nutrients and made quick progress. The idea that one could advance by strict fasting or only eating sesame or hemp, this rice or that, a single plant, leaf, or root, this was a mistake to avoid.

As for eating meat, that is a whole discussion in itself because asking for it or commending is approving of killing, and this cannot be in line with the Buddha's guidance. Wandering ascetics do not directly choose what is offered; that is the privilege of the donors. But tacitly, of course, by welcoming somethings and being less than enthusiastic about others, they make their likes and dislikes known. This seems like a form of asking, which is disallowed.

For sitters of all traditions (Will Johnson)
The point is not to be an imposition. The larger point is to eat like travelers across a desert -- not to beautify, enjoy, savor, play, or treat it as a trifle. Food is medicine. Another amazing thing about the Buddha's guidance for wandering ascetics in his Dhamma-Vinaya (Doctrine and Discipline) is intermittent fasting.

Monastics are not ordered to go without food. They can eat every day and should to maintain their health and vitality. But these meals are spaced in such a way that they are limited to eating only between dawn and noon. The whole rest of the time is for proper digestion and cleansing in accordance with the body's cycles. The body needs to intake (eat in moderation), assimilate (digest), and eliminate (cleanse). When these are in balance, health is excellent, and the mind/heart is restrained and not allowed to become a hindrance.

One can, therefore, see why as householders we have so many problems with food: overeating, craving and eating the "wrong" (processed, ultra-processed, sugary, salty, spicy, depleted, fried, stale, burned, out-of-season, fatty, empty) foods, eating at all times, eating in excess, engaging in extreme diets, failing to fast (which allows the body to shut down the digestive system to clean it out), and not taking enough water, vitamins, and perhaps most importantly the micronutrients (72-92 trace minerals) needed for vibrant health.