Some of you will be familiar with this practice as a version of it appears in the 8 week stress reduction programme…nevertheless it does no harm to be reminded of practices past from time to time; we consume food on a daily basis therefore there is always an opportunity to bring more attention and awareness to the experience of eating.
Instructions
This week when you are eating and drinking don’t do anything else. Sit down and take the time to enjoy what you are taking in. Open all the senses as you eat or drink. Look at the colours, shapes, surface textures. Attend to the smells and flavours in your mouth. Listen to the sounds of eating and drinking.
Reminders
Post a note on the table where you eat meals that says, “Just Eat.” Also post this note wherever you are likely to snack. You could experiment with posting ‘preventative’ notes on objects that tend to distract you while you are eating, e.g. the TV or the computer or a book. Write the word “Eating” with an X through it as a reminder not to eat while using it.
At first glance this practice may appear a little daunting so I suggest that in the initial stages you hold the instructions lightly and try to let go of any ideas of success and failure, of ‘doing’ the practice well. Instead, try simply to ‘be’ with the experience of eating as best you can, whenever you remember. Should you catch yourself wolfing some food down in the middle of the week on the run as it were, congratulate yourself; this ‘noticing’ is your moment of mindfulness and gives you another opportunity to bring yourself back to the present moment and the richness of your eating experience.
Looking forward to hearing your comments and please, feel free to use this blog as a forum & have conversations with each other – no need to wait for me to respond!
Please Share the Intention
Image courtesy of the12thplaya