Eating with Mindfulness

Day 29

Affirmation:

I will eat one meal with complete mindfulness.

                      ____________________

There are Buddhist monks and other practitioners who use eating as an opportunity to practice mindfulness.   What that means is that while they are eating they are eating.  That is–  they are ONLY eating.   They do not talk during meals and their every movement and every thought is related to the meal and eating.  

Their thoughts are of gratitude for the grain which gave up its life force and the many hands that saw it go from cultivation to consumption.  They view eating as a divine marriage between the food and the one eating it.  They reflect with awe and humility on the perfection of the body as it takes part in the meal.  Hands that take food from bowl to mouth, a sense of taste that recognizes the earthy flavor, a digestive system that turns a grain of rice into sustenance, all parts in the process are acknowledged and honoured.    They feel, taste, smell, appreciate, unite, and fully engage in what becomes a sacred communion.   I, on the other hand, have actually eaten so fast and so absent-mindedly that I’ve not remembered eating at all.  I like the idea of consciously becoming one with my food.  I especially like the idea of being fully present in the act of eating and appreciating the many, many who have made it possible.   So today, even if it means eating in the closet or the garage so that I’m not disturbed, I’ll eat one meal with the divine grace of a monk.  

photo from  allmyanmar.com