Dhrumil Purohit :: An Interview + Book Giveaway

November 19, 2008 :: by Ingrid

Dhrumil (Drew-mill) Purohit is a raising young entrepreneur whose passions include the Present moment, green business, creating community, and raw food nutrition.

He is the team lead and primary author of We Like It Raw, also known as WLIR, and Give It To Me Raw, also known as GI2MR, two successful online treasures devoted to raw food and all topics related to raw, green living, and natural health.

I extend a warm welcome to Dhrumil, who shares with us how raw food has helped him overcome certain challenges and contributed to his overall well-being, its link to spirituality, and he explains the technique of Falling Still, and much more.

RE: Tell us how you initially became interested in raw food?

DP: Back in 2001 I met a very deep soul who went by the name Nature Love. Nature was a walking health testimonial. He was fit, the whites of his eyes were pure and his skin was radiant. I met nature at a local organic co-op in my college town. After seeing him shopping there a few times I finally decided to ask him how he lived and what he ate. Our first conversation lasted 1 hour and 30 minutes, and in that time I learned more about the workings of true health than I had my entire life. The next day I started my raw journey.

RE: What do you find is the biggest benefit of embracing a raw vegan lifestyle?

DP: I’ve never had any major physical health issues. Instead, my biggest challenges have been building mental health, clarity and spiritual awareness. For me raw food has allowed all three of those areas to grow. The mental clarity for the most part comes from the fact that you’re eating food that doesn’t add any toxic matter to your system. So in essence, raw food let’s your body and spirit grow by not getting in the way. That’s what I’ve enjoyed the most - if that makes sense. I’m no longer eating food, processed food, which makes it hard to think creative thoughts. I’m not longer eating food, dead food, which robs my spirit of energy.

RE: What people or events have most influenced your journey as a raw foodist?

DP: To date Nature is still the most influential mentor I’ve had when it comes to healthy living. From knowing him I’ve learned about the importance of not only feeding the body, but also feeding the spirit by being in the present moment. Nature taught me how to have goals, but also not identify with their outcome. Nature also taught me very practical things like the importance of greens and green juice in the diet.

David Wolfe, Dr Jubbs, Dr Gabriel Cousens, Dr Alejandro Junger have taught me a lot about the science of raw food and holistic health.

Sarma Melngailis, Vinit Talsania, Philip McCluskey and Anthony Anderson have thought me about the importance of creating a movement and creating community.

RE: How has raw food made a contribution to your physical, mental, and spiritual well-being?

DP: Physically I have more energy than ever. I sleep less, my skin glows, and I very rarely get hungry.

Mentally I don’t have the brain fog that comes with eating cooked starches. Also, 90% of the body’s serotonin is created in the intestines, so it’s natural that you become happier.

Spiritually I feel more in touch with the life force that drives this Universe. It’s also easier for me to be in the present moment.

RE: How would you describe the link between raw food and spirituality?

DP: I define spirituality as reducing the thoughts you have so that true consciousness can emerge. Raw Food alone will not do this. I know a lot of people who eat raw who are just as ungrounded as the next person. But if you have had an initial awakening, if you’ve had a taste of present moment stillness, then raw food will support you in being able to go deeper. Again, it doesn’t do this by adding so much as not getting in the way. It’s not that raw food is some how “more spiritual” it’s just that it doesn’t get in the way like processed foods does.

One thing though, that I’ve noticed, is that when you start eating heavier raw foods, gourmet raw foods, those foods sometimes can get in the way. They are more taxing on the digestive system. Having them occasionally is fine, but it’s not a good way to experience raw food daily.

RE: What are some of your favorite books on the topic of spirituality, green living, and raw food?

DP: The Power of Now by Eckhart Tolle, Raw Food Detox Diet by Natalia Rose, Sun Food Diet Success System by David Wolfe, recipe books by Sarma and Ani Phyo, Rainbow Green Live Cuisine by Dr Gabriel Cousens. I Am That by Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj’s - to name a few.

RE: What fruits or vegetables are your favorites? Least favorite?

DP: I love avocados, heirloom tomatoes, mangos and kale. Not a huge fan of squash and zucchini.

RE: Give us a little peak into your kitchen. What raw food staples would we find?

DP: I love green juice so you’ll always find celery, cucumber, kale, collards and sprouts for juicing. I also love making brazil nut milk with sproutein. You’ll also find lots of teas, I love teas - I just try to keep the water cool enough that my finger wouldn’t get burnt. Once a week I certainly enjoy some raw chocolate.

RE: What’s the one thing about you few people know?

DP: Most people are surprised to hear that I am 26. But, very few people know that I went through some heavy depression in college - this was even after I started eating raw. It was then that I really started to study the mind and how the Ego craves drama. It was the most challenging period of my young life, but the most rewarding too. I am so thankful for the challenges I faced then.

Also, I think very few people know that I dropped out of college to start a technology firm. Oh, and that I like tall girls. ; )

RE: What one word would you use to describe yourself?

DP: Complete

RE: What is the most amusing response or reaction that you’ve experienced when you told someone about the raw food diet?

DP: Hah, well I was dumped by my girlfriend when I became a vegan. That was pretty funny looking back. Actually, even back then it was funny.

Many of my family members are doctors, so when I first went raw they told me I should be careful or I could die, that was pretty damn funny because they were actually serious.

RE: Do you prepare raw food for friends and family? If so, what are some dishes you enjoy making and sharing?

DP: All my close friends and family love my massaged kale salad. Simple, yet very tasty. Made with love and all that jazz of course.

RE: What have you discovered about yourself since embracing a raw vegan diet?

DP: That food is only one part of the journey. A very important part, but it isn’t everything.

Also, I’ve learned how much faith I have in the power of humanity. There are so many beautiful people here on earth, who are awakening in all respects of life. I really feel that the planet is going through a profound shift right now. And so many of those that are shifting are looking to align with a dietary lifestyle that best serves their health and the health of the planet.

RE: What have you accomplished that makes you most proud?

DP: Reducing my degree of thought by half. I don’t have to think as much as I use to. Now, for the most part, I only think when necessary. That means no drama, anxiety, fear or worry that lasts for more than a split second. Anything else I do in life will be secondary to that.

RE: Is there any advice you’d like to share with aspiring raw foodists?

DP: Do not strive to be 100%. Instead, focus on eating as much as raw as possible. If eating exclusively raw happens naturally, great. If it doesn’t, don’t worry. It’s not about being 100% raw, it’s about being 100% healthy. Too many people worry about percentage when the reality is that even eating 3/4 of your diet raw will take you along way.

Also, if you do eat cooked foods, stick to simple foods that are cooked quickly and lightly. Things liked steamed veggies and quinoa. Those items are much better choices than fried foods and breads.

Lastly, don’t forget about greens. So many raw foodies miss out on greens and green juice. Green juice does so much for the body and it has so many minerals. If you only did one thing, I would drink a green juice or green smoothie daily.

RE: During the holiday season things can get a little hectic, potentially elevating stress levels. There is a practice you advocate called “Falling Still”. It’s like a mini mediation session, a quick and simple, yet profound way to relax and recharge. Tell us about Falling Still and where you learned this technique?

DP: Falling Still is a simple practice. Take two minutes, in between major activities throughout the day to notice the breath.

Here’s how you do it: Sit down, sit up straight, feet on the floor, close your eyes and bring your attention to your breath. Notice your breath going in and out. If thoughts come up, keep going back to your breath. That’s it. 2 minutes. That’s all.

Here’s a video of me doing it.

I learned about this technique from my mentor Sarano Kelley. But after I read the works of Eckhart Tolle, I got a whole new appreciation for the practice. The idea is that it’s not how long you meditate, but rather how frequently throughout the day you enter the space of the present moment. So if you can Fall Still 5 or 10 times a day, for 2 minutes at a time, you start to notice that it can have more of an effect on your level of consciousness than meditation for 1 hour in the evening. Because each time you fall still, you stop the build up of conditioning.

Mediation is not the goal, the goal is to enter the space of the present moment. So meditation is a vehicle into the present moment, there are other vehicles too. Most people have a hard time meditating though, because after 10 minutes of just sitting the mind jumps all over the place. Falling Still directs the attention to the breath and therefore makes it hard for your attention to be placed on your thoughts. Try it, it works wonders!

And if that didn’t make sense, check out Spiritual Player.

Dhrumil, thank you for a great interview and much gratitude to you for being a part of Raw Epicurean.

Be sure to visit We Like It Raw, and if you haven’t already, sign up as a member to Give It To Me Raw for information and community support for all things related to a raw food lifestyle.

THE GIFTS

Raw Epicurean and Dhrumil offer 4 wonderful books for 4 participants. These books are Dhrumil’s suggested picks for this giveaway. Thanks Dhru!

A New Earth: Awakening to Your Life’s Purpose by Eckhart Tolle’s

Raw Magic by Kate Magic Wood and David Smith

The Raw 50: 10 Amazing Breakfasts, Lunches, Dinners, Snacks, and Drinks for Your Raw Food Lifestyle by Carol Alt and David Roth

The Raw Food Diet Myth by Dr Ruthann Russo

Answer the question below to be eligible to win one of these books. Please list in order of preference which book you would like to receive. One entry per person.

The morning of Monday, November 24th, I will use a random number generator to pick four names to win one of the great books offered. The names of the winners and what book they won will be announced in post following this interview.

The Question:

What is the most amusing response or reaction you’ve experienced when you told someone about the raw food diet?

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