We all have a relationship with food. Whether it’s about holding on or letting go, or the amount of attention and care we put into it, this relationship influences our everyday life. How we nourish ourselves determines our mood (a.k.a. Hangry people) and our health.
Mindful eating has origins in zen practices from China and Japan. Its essence is about eating ‘just enough’, with full gratitude of every meal.
A few months ago, I went to Plum Village and experienced mindful eating. I picked up a few tricks there. These are lessons and some passages I got from the book ‘How to Eat’ by Thich Nhat Hanh.
- Take it slow.
In our daily activities, we often rush from thing to another. In between tasks we spend our time planning how we’ll accomplish future tasks. Eating is a chance to return to the present moment and stop the rushing and the planning.
- Focus on eating.
Sometimes when we eat, we aren’t thinking of our food. We’re thinking of the past or the future or mulling over some worry or anxiety again and again. Don’t chew your worries, your fear, or your anger. Just chew your food. To eat without thinking of our past, the future and our projects, is to eat in freedom.
- Be grateful.
Have the gratitude for everyone and all the elements that have come together to put this meal in front of you. Each spoonful of food contains the universe. The Earth and the sky have collaborated to bring this spoonful of food to you.
Drinking tea is a whole different story. But I’m saving that for the next set of mindful tips! Wishing you mindful meals ahead.
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