DEPARTURE

Fasting is the best medicine.
Indian Proverb

For the week beginning September 1st, 2004

A COMPLETE MEAL is one that leaves you bliss-filled wanting no more (or less). With this kind of deep experience, you can depart mealtime without the need or desire to nibble mindlessly until your next meal. If your recent meal is truly bliss-fulfilled, then you can naturally balance it with follow-up fasting and digesting (a good "medicine").

But when a meal leaves you unsatisfied, then you need to explore why. Is your remaining hunger physical or emotional? Do you really eat enough food? Is there enough variety to satisfy your body's nutritional needs? Is there emotional turmoil in your life at this time?

There is no magic pill to help you find peace with the meal you've just eaten. Remember you can always use the entire process of eating, -entry, preparation, food choices, ritual, eating, and community, to help you find your way to back to fulfillment.

•
Let your bliss-fulfilling meal cultivate natural
fasting until your next meal.

RITUALS

Are there graces for lettuce, Lord?...
For I need help in becoming a healthier person I
want to be. Hold up for me a mirror of the new
creation you see me to be, for I need a companion
at this table, Lord.
Margaret Ann Huffman
Grace for Dieting

For the week of September 5th

DO YOU EVER find it difficult to be grateful for the food on your plate when you are dieting? Are you ever unhappy or resentful about having to eat a restricted diet (whether it is your choice or health-related)? The ritual blessing above may help deal with your feelings.

Even if you are eating healthfully, you may be suffering emotionally because of your transition to a new way of living with food. A ritual blessing can offer compassion and hope.

Ask for help from the divine so that you can make peace with the part of you that wants to hold onto old - though unhealthy - habits. You may also want to add, "May I have compassion for all of me, the me that is changing and the me that does not want to change, as I undertake this new path to healthy eating."

•
Say a grace for your diet or new
healthy eating.

RITUALS

These are the true drops of love...
Be faithful in small things because it is in
them your strength lies.
Mother Teresa
The True Drops of Love or, How Does a Lamp Burn

For the week of September 12th

DO YOU SEEK the one perfect ritual blessing that would diminish your food struggles and offer peace at mealtime? You are not alone. The truth, however, may be closer to the idea expressed in this poem written by Mother Teresa.

Instead of looking for that one great truth about food, use Mother Teresa's words as a ritual blessing to help ground you in the truth and strength of small things.

What are the small things this blessing talks about? Well, think for a moment that it takes many drops of water to fill your glass. It takes many bites to make a full meal. It takes many moments of mindful awareness to bring fulfillment. Do not be lured into dissatisfaction because a step is so small and does not seem to make a difference. It does.

•
Let this ritual blessing support your strength
in "small things" that you do.

RITUALS

Nothing is imperfect. The pebble equals the ruby.
A frog is as beautiful as any seraphim.
Angelus Silesius,
17th Century German Mystic

For the week of September 19th

DO YOU GET easily upset when you make a mistake with your perfect diet plan? You may discover that trying to be perfect equates into becoming tense and anxious when it comes to eating. A ritual blessing that contains the essence of one above can let you accept the regular, daily perfection that is present in every meal, whether you follow your dietary guidelines or do not.

Acknowledging your regular perfection is another way of saying that you accept yourself for who you are - whatever your choices may be. With regular perfection you can experience peace with your meal instead of struggle. Regular perfection does not mean you stop trying. You can always continue to apply your effort and discipline. But you can do so with more joy and acceptance and equanimity.

•
May you accept your every meal and bite as
perfect for where you are at this moment.

RITUALS

This farewell comes from a forgiving leaf
that skipped from the others and then found
a lucky storm that brought me here. Listen -
hold on as long as you can, then thrust forth;
make truth your home.
William Stafford,
Poet

For the week of September 26th

DO YOU TRUST in your food wisdom? What have you learned in your many seasons of gaining sustenance and caring for your body that you can use now? The sentiments in the poem of William Stafford ask us to trust in what really matters as we grow older with wisdom and experience.

Your inner, knowing voice knows the difference between wellness and sickness. The fact that you may struggle with food means that you are in the process of finding balance and maturity. This process is natural, just as all of nature goes through stages from infancy to adulthood to maturity.

Incorporate a wise ritual blessing like the one above when you need strength to listen to your wise, mature inner voice. Have faith.

It is there if you will listen.

•
Listen and trust in your many
seasons of food wisdom.

© Meal by Meal by Donald Altman
published by Inner Ocean Publishing,
All Rights Reserved, 2004

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Donald Altman MA, counseling psychology, is an award-winning writer, former Buddhist monk, and author of several critically reviewed books about mindful and spiritual living. His books include "Living Kindness: The Buddha's Ten Guiding Principles for a Blessed Life," "Art of the Inner Meal: The Power of Mindful Practices to Heal Food Cravings," and most recently "Meal By Meal: 365 Daily Meditations for Finding Balance Through Mindful Eating." For more information on Donald's workshops, speeches, and counseling services, please see his website: http://www.mindfulpractices.com .