| Departure
Garbage becomes rose.
Rose becomes compost –
Everything is in transformation.
Even permanence is impermanent.
Thich Nhat Hanh
For
the week beginning December 1st, 2004
 DO
YOU EVER MARVEL at how food transforms? It goes from being
something that is separate from you before the meal into something that
is part of you after the meal.This miracle is part of the continuing
lesson on transformation that you – and all persons – receive
through food and eating.
Since food becomes part of you, does it not also follow that
you become part of it? It is critical that you understand this, because
it helps you know how food can directly affect the way you feel. If
you have a history of depression or hyperactivity, for example, there
may be a connection to your diet – in particular, excess sugar.
Finding balance and harmony in life requires finding that same balance
in your dietary choices. Eating sugar, carbohydrates, or any food to
excess could affect you adversely. Change your diet (with medical supervision)
and see if your moods improve and your cravings diminish.
•
Change your diet to change your mood.
Rituals
God help us to live slowly:
To move simply:
To look softly:
To allow emptiness:
To let the heart create for us.
Amen.
Michael Leunig, writer
For
the week of December 5th
DO
YOU FIND that you get more stressed out about food around the
holiday season? Do you ever feel like you do not have time to slow down,
let alone enjoy a meal? If so, you may want to incorporate a blessing
like the one above into
your mealtime.
When you “live slowly,” you slow down and savor each bite
of your meal, instead of worrying about future plans.
When you “move simply,” you set a mindful intention to move
with full presence and purpose amid the whir and bustle of others.
When you “look softly,” you gaze without judgment and with
compassion at those who feed themselves however they can.
When you “allow emptiness,” you find space to be at peace
with your own hunger even when confronted by temptation.
•
Let your heart create a new season for all.
Rituals
Let no one deceive another. Let no one despise
another in any situation. Let no one, from
antipathy or hatred, wish evil to anyone at all.
The Buddha
For
the week of December 12th
EATING
IS A VERY HONEST ACT. Fundamentally, eating is about your body
needing nourishment for which food provides energy and well-being. There
is no deception. When you eat something, your body knows when that food
is healthy and beneficial, and it knows when you are trying to fool
it!
Do you ever try to deceive your body (with your mind) by telling yourself
that an eating habit or food is really okay? I know a man, for example,
who once ate almost an entire carrot cake instead of his regular dinner.The
next day he was still feeling ill from the effect
of ingesting so much sugar and butter.
Just as a mother naturally loves her children, you need to love and
protect your own well-being. If you need help, recite the ritual blessing
above by adapting it as “Let me not deceive my body.”
•
Be honest about eating at today’s meal.
Rituals
Forgive us our sins against Earth,
As we are learning to forgive one another.
And surrender us not unto extinction,
But deliver us from our folly.
Henry Horton
For the week of December 19th
DO
YOU HAVE A HOLIDAY FOOD FOLLY? Where does your folly lead you
on the scale of blame and acceptance? A ritual blessing like the one
above is one way to bring a broader perspective and forgiveness into
your life, as well as your food
folly.
Forgiveness is an important holiday theme, and it is one that you can
explore during this month.Consider this:The winter season brings the
end of a long cycle of planting, growing, and enjoying the fruits of
your harvest. As the ground grows cold (or less warm, depending on where
you live), your heart does not have to grow bitter or weary for the
food follies you may have endured.
Have faith, for there is another season/day/meal just around the corner.
Each new moment is the perfect place to be mindful. To plant the seed
of awareness just by observing – without judgment – is a
form of forgiveness in itself !
•
Plant new seeds of forgiving at mealtime –
and anytime.
Rituals
Men go abroad to wonder at the heights of
mountains, at the huge waves of the sea, at the long
courses of the rivers, at the vast compass of the
ocean, at the circular motion of the stars, and they
pass themselves by without wonder.
St. Augustine, fourth-century saint
For the week of December 26th
DO
YOU HAVE a personalized mealtime ritual blessing? If not,
what unique aspect of your personal life story could one contain? What
strengths could it help you to tap into?
I have facilitated others creating their mealtime blessings, and I am
always awed at the results.Create a ritual blessing alone or with others.
It is sometimes helpful to divide into two person teams to brainstorm.
For the blessing portion of your ritual blessing, use your own words,
as well as other wise sources like scripture, poetry, people, and books
of prayers. As themes, consider balance, the hero’s journey, initiation,
justice, love, peace, strength,empowerment, healing, growing old, sharing,
mindfulness, and praise for the earth. The ritual portion could be any
action from holding hands and lighting a candle to singing and creating
a sacred space around which to say your blessing.
•
Create a meaningful blessing and ritual
to share with others.
© Meal
by Meal by Donald Altman
published by Inner Ocean Publishing,
All Rights Reserved, 2004
|
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: 