Bonus Podcast: Mindful Eating w/ Jack, Ram Dass & Joseph Goldstein
May 28, 2020
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Jack Kornfield, Joseph Goldstein, and Ram Dass discuss mindful eating and how it deepens our connection to ourselves. They explore techniques such as cultivating loving kindness, considering interconnectedness, and observing the transformation of food. They also reflect on imperfections in the search for enlightenment and highlight the importance of being fully present during the entire process of eating.
Mindful eating helps in developing trust in oneself and making better decisions.
Perceiving food in terms of elements and meditating on emptiness can change one's experience of eating.
Deep dives
Developing Trust and Self-awareness
Eating mindfully and cultivating a balanced attitude towards food can help in developing trust in oneself and making better decisions. The Buddhist tradition emphasizes the importance of the process of eating and the cultivation of certain mind states, such as loving kindness and compassion. By practicing mindfulness and awareness during meals, one can break the illusion of separateness between oneself and the food, and develop insight and wisdom.
Perceptual Techniques and Meditation on Eating
There are various perceptual techniques to change one's experience of eating. One approach is to perceive food in terms of the elements, recognizing their presence both in the food and in one's own body. Another technique is to meditate on the emptiness of self and separateness, realizing that there is no inherent 'I' or 'me' in the food and observing the changing nature of the eating process. Additionally, mindfulness of sensation and touch during eating can enhance awareness and reduce attachment to desire and discrimination.
Reflections on Food, Repulsiveness, and Enlightenment
Examining the nature of food and its repulsiveness can help develop mindfulness and detachment from attachment to taste and desire. Reflecting on the entire process of eating, from procurement to disposal, as well as contemplating on food as sustenance, can bring about a shift in perspective. Mindful eating allows for the observation of desire and the impersonal nature of the mind-body process. By cultivating awareness and mindfulness during meals, one can attain deep insights and even experience enlightenment.
If you enjoy the Heart Wisdom Podcast, we think that you will enjoy this special look at the relationship between food, ourselves and our practice with Jack Kornfield, Joseph Goldstein and Ram Dass.
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