When do you start a mindful eating practice?  Before your first cup of coffee in the morning or however, you break your fast from the night before.

How do we do this? Pema Chodron guides us in her new book, How We Live Is How We Die.  She says we begin with a simple PAUSE.  Stop and look out the window, at the NOWNESS.  Notice the freshness of the new day.  Get out of the thoughts you are already having about what you must do and glimpse what brings happiness to your state of mind.  The bird in the tree, the rain drops, the blue sky, the flower blooming.   Sense what it is.  Interrupt.  Devote a moment of time. Then take your first sip or your first bite.

State of Mind

When we take a moment to enhance our state of mind, we are accomplishing a few things:

• Letting go of stress
• Showing kindness to ourselves in a moment
• Noticing habits without judgment
• Self-reflecting

Mindfulness has the power to allow us to feel more relaxed about how things are.   As we take this time to set intentions of your own state of mind for the day you are also creating a path for your body and mind to work better together.  As you begin to start a mindful eating practice you will soon see that it is not just another thing to do but a great way to make you happier.

Mindful Eating

Once you accomplish a happy mindset you are ready to start practicing mindful eating.  Here are some instructions that may be helpful as you begin to practice:

• Tell yourself while you eat you will only eat. In other words, you will not multi-task.  You will focus on eating.
• Look at the food and observe it visually. Take a genuine interest in the visual appearance of the food.  The color, texture, or shape.
• Slowly take bites and be aware of the movement of your mouth and throat.
• Investigate the flavors of the food. You might find it helpful to describe the flavors to yourself or others.
• When eating with other people make sure you are being mindful and not discussing other things.

In How to Eat, Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh says, “Refrain from discussing subjects that can destroy your awareness of the people around you and the food.   If someone is thinking about something other than the food on the table such as difficulties at the office or with friends, it means losing the present moment and the food.  You can help by returning (your) attention to the meal.”

Having a mindful relationship with food brings us into the present moment.  When we are present there is more opportunity to be in a happy state of mind.

Mindful Eating can support a successful mindfulness meditation practice.  If you would like teachings on starting a mindful meditation practice tailored to you or more ideas about mindful eating contact us at www.Jaspertraya.com.