From the Latin nūtrĭo, nūtrīre (to nourish, feed, suckle; figuratively speaking, to educate, to make grow) originates the multifaceted concept of nutrition. This word, rooted in ancient languages, draws from the etymological depths of ancient Greek, ἀνατρέφω [duck], composed of ἀνὰ [ana] (up, upward) and τρέφω [trefo] (to feed, to raise).
Even further back in time, we find the Sanskrit roots NA and NU, which imbue the word nutrition with primordial meanings. The root NU carries within it the concepts of playing, praying, exulting and shouting, resonating with the vital movement of breathing and going upwards, symbolising the ascending metabolism that transforms food into energy, into subtler, more spiritual substance.
Yet, in the remotest etymology, there is also AN, with its meaning of breathing, moving, living and going, which merges with NA to give birth to an+na, nourishment.
In the tangled fabric of our existence, the word nourishment manifests itself as a shining beacon guiding the soul’s journey through the meanders of life. It is more than just the act of eating; it is a sacred ritual that connects us with our most authentic essence and with what permeates every fibre of the universe.
Through the process of nutrition, we transform food into life energy, nourishing not only our body but also our spirit. It is like an alchemical art, where material elements are transformed into a life force that sustains us on our journey. The rhythm of the breath merges with the upward movement of the soul, creating harmony between our physical being and our spiritual essence.
This upward journey is an opportunity to grow, to evolve, to transform. It is an invocation to awareness, a call to inner transformation that leads us towards the deepest realisation of ourselves. It is through the nourishment of the soul that we can ascend to new heights of understanding and enlightenment.
Reasoning on the etymological origin of the term, we realise that nutrition has always been seen as a bridge between the material and the spiritual, a link that unites us to the fabric of the universe itself. It is an act of gratitude towards life, towards the precious gift of existence.
On this journey upwards, we discover the beauty of transformation, the joy of awareness and the power of our divine essence. It is a path of continuous rebirth, an opportunity for infinite growth. And so, as we nourish the food that sustains our bodies, we also venture into the nourishment of the soul, opening the door to wisdom and awareness.