On each silent Perception Meditation retreat I’ve attended—at The Final Resort in Southern Utah, or at Spirit Rock Meditation Heart in Woodacre, California—meals have at all times been at all times been essentially the most dependable supply of every day pleasure. That is partially because of the experience and caring of the individuals who plan and put together the meals, that are at all times healthful, flavorful and ready with love. Another excuse retreat meals brings such pleasure is that it’s less than me to plan the menu, purchase and assemble the components, and put together the meals. I like to cook dinner, however I additionally like to be shocked. It’s great to stroll into the eating corridor not figuring out what’s in retailer, however figuring out it is going to be scrumptious and fortifying, as a result of it at all times is. However maybe an important half is that we apply aware consuming. After days or even weeks of working towards mindfulness, each exercise—sitting, strolling, showering, doing all of your yogi job and consuming—turns into part of the apply. Slowing down and being current along with your every day actions makes every thing you do extra satisfying.

Advantages of Aware Consuming

Listed below are a number of the advantages I’ve seen from consuming mindfully:

• The textures and flavors of meals spring to life.
• Slowing down helps digestion.
• I are inclined to eat much less as a result of I’m extra conscious of when my physique is full. I eat what I want quite than what I need.
• Training aware consuming takes your meditation apply off your meditation cushion and into your life, the place it will possibly make a higher impression.

Aware consuming is basically widespread sense. However most of us lead busy lives, juggling many tasks. We frequently eat on the fly, or multitask whereas we’re consuming. I’m as responsible as anybody, however I do attempt to decelerate and luxuriate in at the very least one meal each day. Listed below are some suggestions which may enable you to domesticate a aware consuming behavior.

Methods to Eat Mindfully Each Day

• Set a doable intention. Begin with one thing straightforward, perhaps consuming one meal every day—and even every week—slowly and mindfully. Intentions are highly effective. Deciding that you just’re going to discover aware consuming is step one.
• Invite a buddy. When you have a accomplice or household, encourage them to hitch you. It’s quite a bit simpler to begin a brand new apply while you and a pal can preserve one another impressed. For instance, you could possibly decide to sitting down to 1 aware household meal every day. Should you can’t do it each day, then strive 3 times per week, or as soon as per week.
• Begin with a second of silence. Earlier than digging in, take just a few moments to savor the sights and smells emanating out of your plate. Domesticate gratitude.
• Be aware of your entire course of. Right here’s how this would possibly look: Pay attention to the actions and sensations in your arm and arms as you attain on your utensils. Really feel the load, texture, coolness or heat of your fork, spoon or knife. Observe the motion of your hand and arm as you progress it towards your plate. Really feel the load of the meals in your fork or spoon as you carry it towards your mouth. Be aware of the actions of your jaw and enamel, and the flavors and textures of the meals you’re consuming. Chew, with presence, till the meals is totally damaged down. Be current with swallowing.
• On one meditation retreat at Spirit Rock, Sally Armstrong talked in regards to the apply of “placing down the fork.” Very often we’ve already received our subsequent chunk on the fork, able to shovel in, earlier than we’ve completed the meals we’re at the moment chewing. As an alternative, when you’re chewing your meals, set your fork or spoon in your plate and chorus from choosing it again up till you’re prepared for an additional chunk.

A Few Extra Suggestions for Aware Consuming

Should you prefer to journal, write down your experiences. Writing can assist you make clear your intentions and the advantages of your apply.

Aware meals don’t must be at residence. You possibly can comply with all these steps while you take pleasure in restaurant fare.

It’s not at all times straightforward to develop new habits, so go straightforward on your self. Set your intention, however know that you could be not at all times have the ability to make good on it. Should you miss a day, it’s okay. You possibly can start once more along with your subsequent meal.

Consuming is important. Consuming wholesome, nourishing meals replenishes our prana. We’re going to eat anyway, so why not concentrate?

About Charlotte Bell

Charlotte Bell found yoga in 1982 and commenced instructing in 1986. Charlotte is the writer of Aware Yoga, Aware Life: A Information for On a regular basis Follow and Yoga for Meditators, each printed by Rodmell Press. Her third e book is titled Hip-Wholesome Asana: The Yoga Practitioner’s Information to Defending the Hips and Avoiding SI Joint Ache (Shambhala Publications). She writes a month-to-month column for CATALYST Journal and serves as editor for Yoga U On-line. Charlotte is a founding board member for GreenTREE Yoga, a non-profit that brings yoga to underserved populations. A lifelong musician, Charlotte performs oboe and English horn within the Salt Lake Symphony and people sextet Pink Rock Rondo, whose DVD gained two Emmy awards.