I challenged myself with an assignment to eat four meals in silence and solitude to simply explore an area of my every day life that is so important and yet so over looked.
When I was single I had a weekly dinner date with myself at a nice restaurant and sat with a book or journal (people were always confused when I said no one was joining me). But I don’t think I ever just sat and ate. Now that I eat with my husband and two young children, and although it is a wonderful time together as a family to share our thoughts and experiences of the day, it is pretty hectic as I am paying little attention to my meal and more so to refills, sharp objects and flying food.
Each day I picked a different meal, breakfast on the first day, followed by a lunch, dinner and on the final day a rather fancy desert which was large enough to be a meal. Prior to starting the meals I said a little prayer of gratitude to earth for the food and to my body for being able to take it in. I then did some equal ratio breathing while simply looking at the food, the shapes, the colors, the way it laid on the plate (I even turned the plate to get a different perspective).
I would think of how the food was made, where it came from, what kind of farm it was grown on; the personalities and culture of the people who invested their labor, time and commitment. I thought about their families and what meal time was like in their home. I considered the processing within the factories, the chaotic interplay of assembly lines, regulations, and a result still attempting to facilitate ‘natural grade A’ products. I considered the size of the trucks and the drivers’ mesh ball-caps with pins for each state. I contemplated the force of advertising that inspired me to choose a particular product. I thought of the history of spices, crops and trade and how amazing it is that we have access to food from all over the country and world. How there is SO much food and so many options, and yet still so many people starving and malnourished. It is every person’s birth right to eat well from the gifts mother earth provides! It reminded me of a story a dear friend once shared who came to the U.S from Russia. The first time her parents went to a Safeway her mother broke into tears after just walking through the doors. She had never, nor could have imagined, such a readily available surplus of food assessable to everyone! When taking a can of beans off the shelf, she grew giddy at the excitement that there were more cans of beans behind cans of beans, behind cans of beans. I imagined famine and bread lines and my mouth watered even more at the meal that awaited me, again I said prayers of gratitude.
When I took my bites I focused on the texture (some textures really freaked me out like eggs) and how I chewed in circular motions (I always thought it was up and down), Each bite was very deliberate and focused and I think because I was taking the time, it all tasted so good, the flavors were really juicy and alive. I eat hummus regularly, but this time it was so rich, I was really tasting it. All of the food, I tasted, not just devoured. I think because I eat the same things I just remember how they are supposed to taste, but I don’t really have a new experience each time….I just kind of take it for granted that hummus is hummus and it will always taste like hummus. But really, every bite is special and every time I sit down it is different and it is an occasion worth celebrating with grace and presence.
I found that I became full much faster than normal; or rather I was present enough in the process to know that I didn’t need to keep eating. I wasn’t on auto-pilot –shovel- it- in mode. Taking time between bites I noticed the process of the food breaking down into smaller and smaller pieces. I felt such an appreciation for this machine of a mouth that took it in, broke it down and sent it to another part of my factory for further processing, a very methodical and beautify complex system; a ceremony of its own and so easily overlooked by my normal busyness.
In this country in particular, everything moves so fast, we are constantly multi-tasking, trying to get the most done in the least amount of time, so that we have more time to do more things…..like multi-task. Drive-through food chains and restaurants with exceptional take-out service are on every corner, and although convenient, distract us from the sweetness of a calm, still meal. I am not suggesting ridding our well deserved, and often needed quick meals, as I too, am a lover of crispy golden egg rolls and wanton soup not to mention a super multi-tasker. I am, however, suggesting that you offer yourself, maybe once a month, or once a week, or even just once, the gift of eating a full meal in solitude and silence with great reverence and respect to preparation, sensation, quality and genuine gratitude and intention for each individual bite. Food should not only sustain our busy bodies but should truly bring a sense of connection to self and the world around as we deliberately offer ourselves the experience of wholesome and mindful nourishment.
Namaste,
Robin Afinowich
P.S. More food for thought. Be mindful of left-overs. Consider if you will actually eat them, or if they are more likely to rot in the bottom of the fridge until that horrible, indefinable stench reminds you they are there. If, upon your self reflection, you determine they will go to waste, I kindly suggest that you put them to good use before the slime commences. How, you ask? Remember the face of the Vet on the corner of the freeway with a sign that says “Will work for food!” Don’t judge, believe that he is hungry; imagine his sign says, “Am human, will eat, because I need to.” Perhaps we can collectively honor every human’s birth right to enjoy a nourishing meal. I guarantee you, this will feed your soul!
Love and kindness
A little bird!
