I just read the topic where Christi says coffee and sugar is bad for cultivating stillness.
I eat everyday chocolate and coffee. Most of the time Only a little chocolate after my meals (two times a day) and one cup of coffee before every pratise session. How you know through other posts I have trouble to cultivate the witness. Can chocolate and coffee be the reason?
I mean, coffee does improve my journey (at least it seems so). I never have drunk coffee still 2-3 years ago. And since then nothing changed except that I have more energy in my daily life and the experiences in my pratise is much better. So, It seems like that stillness is not less cultivated through coffee. And I am on the path since 8 years.
But chocloate is part of my journey since the beginning. Sometimes very much, sometimes nothing. But most of the time a little bit. So, maybe that is the reason I haven?t cultivated stillness, yet, isn’t it???
And what I find a little worrying. In time, my diet gets worser. I mean, I added caffeine, I eat more meat the last 2-3 years ( I was vegetarian some time of my journey in the beginning). And general more sugar. But yogani says with spiritual progress this things should get less…how can this be?
I think because I notice there is no really big change in my journey without this things I don’t mind, and actually it makes my life more easy.
And I find my life better this way.(It’s very hard to not eat chocolate) Should I change it or should I leave it like this for the purpose of my spiritual journey?
In short, should I listen to my heart, which says it’s okay how it is, or should I go the rational path, which says sugar and caffeine is bad for spiritual progress? of course, some part of me want it like this, because it’s much easier like this, but my bhakti wants the most of progress. So, I am not sure what to do…
Hi th1996,
Spiritual journey is about finding out what you are. You and I and everyone are That - and no coffee or chocolate could change That. Having a lot of stimulating things before meditation could make it harder to get deeper into it, but how much is too much depends on the person. And being vegetarian does not guarantee the awakening to our true nature.
I know many yogis and yoginis who drink some coffee, and people with deep awakenings who eat meat and chocolate and drink coffee. And I know people whose diet changed as a result of spiritual practices.
If you want to experiment, you could limit or eliminate these things from your diet for two weeks. Keep a journal to record any changes, and after two weeks re-evaluate this decision.
As Yogani would say, if eliminating coffee, chocolate, and meat were to bring enlightenment, we would have had many people enlightened in the world. So do not worry too much about this and continue with your practice. 
Thank u for ur answer.
The chocolate is getting much better…and general my diet have changed. But coffee on the other hand makes practises more deeper and enjoyable, and life in general, too- so, when I am just looking at my experience I would clearly say coffee is healthy…and makes my life better. And does even contribute to spiritual progress.
On the other hand, Yogani says that caffeine will fall away when inner silence is rising. This is a little conflicting.
There are studies which shows that coffee can better our health. And there a theories why this is so. Nothing proved, yet. But they are hints.
So, we have on one hand science and my experience…on the other hand, old traditions which says that caffeine is bad (for spirituel progress)
And I am a firm believer in this traditions!!! 
so, I am not sure what to do…I have now two weeks free, and so can experiment a little bit. And I am feeling ready to stop with coffee (but only if I have a advantage- because I enjoy the taste a lot)
What would to expect if I quit coffee, espiacially spiritually?
I have coffee and chocolate every day, even at night, and it seems to have little to no impact on my inner wind.
Hi all,
Here are a few quotes from the lessons on chocolate and coffee:
Again, this is not a moral lesson. It is not a “Thou shalt not.” It is your choice, always. If your choice is to go for more in life, to take up the path of meditation and other advanced yoga practices, it will be a no-brainer. The rising experience of pure bliss consciousness will change your attitude about alcohol. Give regular practice of meditation a fair chance, and the things that are not good for you will tend to drop off naturally over time. Besides alcohol, people find the same thing happens with recreational drugs, tobacco and even caffeine. There are no rules – just the rise of pure bliss consciousness, our true nature. All we have to do is meditate twice a day, and listen to what our inner silence is telling us. We will know what to do. [Yogani]
That is from here
Spiritual development is not primarily about having a temporary peak experience. Rather, it is a natural and permanent awakening, which can be achieved only through ongoing deep inner purification. This is why anyone engaged in daily deep meditation will find urges for substances that produce artificial experiences falling away. This applies to hallucinogenic drugs, alcohol, tobacco, caffeine, and eating habits that retard the natural expression of the divine light emerging from within us. [Yogani]
That is from here
So, the AYP approach is not a “never drink coffee, or eat chocolate”. It is not even “never drink alcohol, or eat meat”. It is more “listen to what your body it telling you”, and this will change over time.
Thank u for your answer, Tristan.
When I get it right I can continue…because my body says yes to it and it is good for me on all levels…of course until my body tells otherwise…??
And I really make good progress…I was on vacation the last week, and I felt mostly great.
Life and practises are getting better and better…ofc there is some depression. And this will be always the case, I think. It is said that depression is always there for some people. So, the question is not if there is depression but how good can I manage and navigate it. And this gets better and better. So, I think this can be a form of rising stillness. Kundalini is flowing from time to time very crazy, but nothing disturbing, and I have litte attachement to it. So, I think I make progress in favouring the spiritual progress over spiritual experiences, even when I enjoy them!
Yes, for me its similiar. The question I ask myself is why Yogani says that it gets lesser when doing practises…but maybe it’s from person to person different!
Hi th1996,
Yes, these things do vary from person to person. And also the falling away of personal desires and attachments usually takes time. Someone may not experience the craving for caffeine falling away during the first 10, or 20 years of practice, but may find it falling away during the following 10, or 20 years of practice.
I see. Thank u. I will listen to my body for the future and stay open. But for now I will continue with my routine.