This practice is intended to prepare the body and mind for the digestive process.
By activating the parasympathetic nervous system we can calm the body and work collaboratively for optimal nourishment.
Modern life has so many of us running too fast,
But in order to feel our best we must unequivocally pause to properly fuel ourselves.
It requires focused awareness with a deep connection between what we eat and how we eat it.
You can begin simply by sitting at a table,
If possible,
With the meal that you're planning on eating in front of you,
Prepared.
And before digging in let's take a moment to pause and reflect on what you're doing.
Sit comfortably with your feet on the floor.
Grounding to the earth,
Let's take three slow and deep breaths in and out.
Allow yourself to arrive here and now.
When you've taken that third breath,
Start to notice your body supported by the chair.
Feel where your spine meets the seat.
Paying close attention to the tense feelings that you may feel in your body and allowing yourself to relax.
Let your shoulders drop.
Unclench the jaw.
Maybe soften the belly.
Feel comfortable in this moment as we start to tune in to our belly,
Our abdomen.
Let's take some moments to breathe into that space,
Providing it more space,
More freedom,
More trust.
Put your hands on the abdomen and inhale gently so your belly expands into your hands.
And exhale so it falls back towards your spine.
Do this a couple more times,
Feeling the natural rhythm of the exhale come slower and deeper.
Imagining with each inhale nourishing your body with the food in front of you,
And each exhale leaving the tension that you may be feeling.
Or even the expectation of tension.
Sometimes eating becomes painful,
But it's a gift in each meal.
If we provide it in tension,
It will provide us what we need and will be a collaborative effort with our body,
With our mind,
With our spirit.
Let's continue to breathe into the belly,
Feeling it expand,
More space,
More freedom,
More trust.
Now let's tune into our meal as well.
Continuing to breathe into the belly,
But also observing the food,
Noticing the colors,
The textures,
The aromas.
If you want to waft in meal and really sense it on a different level than we ordinarily do.
Consider the journey of this food to get to your plate.
Think about the process that this food had to get to go through to arrive here.
Thank it,
Whether it's an animal,
Plant,
Or grain,
Or its nourishment that it's providing you.
Say,
May this meal bring me balance,
Energy,
And peace.
And may my body accept this food so that we can be one.
Take a moment to breathe in the food.
Again,
Maybe wafting it in,
Allowing it into your being,
And providing your essence back with each breath out.
You're becoming more of one organism,
Breathing in the food,
Breathing out your essence.
Imagine now the digestive system working smoothly.
See the food on a microscopic level,
Becoming one,
Providing energy to all your cells so they can grow stronger.
Feel some expansive gratitude throughout your whole body.
Let's take one last deep inhale and long exhale.
But as you start to eat,
Continue this mindful approach,
Paying attention to the sensations of the body,
Sensations around you,
And the environment,
And slowly just letting each bite be the gift it is,
Providing you life with gratitude,
Gratitude,
And courage.
Let this meal be one filled with joy.
