Enjoy Every Bite

In this exercise, we'll practice savoring our food. Do this exercise as you eat your next meal. First, sit down at a table with your food in front of you, preferably alone, without any external distractions. Before you even pick up the food, set the intention to be fully present while you eat. Next, take a couple of deep breaths, in through the nose and out through the mouth, to allow the body and mind to settle. Now, take a moment to appreciate the food in front of you. Where did it come from? Is it straight from the farm or more highly processed? Try and imagine the different ingredients in their natural environment and even the people who would've been looking after the crops or working in the factories. Take a few more moments to reflect on the food in front of you. Now, as you begin to eat, simply observe and appreciate the different senses at work, become curious with each bite as you explore all the flavors. Notice how the mind responds to your food. Is the food met with pleasure, or displeasure? Is there acceptance of the food as it is, or maybe some resistance to certain aspects of it? Regardless of your immediate thoughts, refocus on something you enjoy and are grateful for about the food. As you continue to eat your meal this way, notice if there's a strong habitual urge to eat quickly or if you're easily getting distracted. Pause and bring your attention back to just being in the present moment. After you've finished your meal, before jumping up to get on with the next thing, try to stay seated for a moment or two after you finish eating. This is an opportunity for you to be present and grateful for the meal you just had. See if you can carry over the sense of being present to the rest of your day. We look forward to seeing you in the next lesson....