Have I ever really experienced true hunger? No, I decided. So, I began a 4-day fast. I did not eat anything and only drank when I was thirsty. Each day I experienced “hunger” but would treat it as I have treated other sensations and feelings. I breathed with it, acknowledged it, and allowed it to flow. I nurtured myself through each day. Each hunger attack would pass with my attention and meditations and I would constantly redefine what “hunger,” meant to me. I was training people at the time and was able to function just fine each day. Finally, at day four, I began to feel slightly weak. I felt this was enough information and experience and so I began eating again. I realized “hunger” for me was just another inner experience I can observe. I also learned I can function without three meals a day. Further, because of this experience, food has less of a power over me. I no longer need as much food and can go without for many hours without diminishment of health or energy.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION: I am in no way saying or suggesting that any of you should try this. Please don’t try this unless you feel you have a good to great connection to your body. This was me, questioning my reality.
In the information age in which we live we are constantly bombarded with an abundance of caloric, dietary information regarding:
I have found this technical way of approaching food and life does not allow for the individual ways in which our bodies work. In my experience, the deeper connected we are to the natural rhythms of our bodies, the easier it is to make healthy choices that fulfill us rather than deprive us.
The act of eating is something most of us take for granted. Eating has become such a social event we may or may not even realize we are eating. This is where unconscious habits take over our lives and prevent us from feeling good about ourselves.
Eating has also become automatic in favor of conversation or mental meandering. Again we are practicing ignoring what is happening with our bodies and distracting ourselves from them.
I have noticed many of us gobble our food and do not really pay attention to what we are doing. When we gobble our focus is usually on the next bite. So, what we are doing is teaching our body and nervous system that what we value is wanting the next bite and not having the one we have.
Do I have to mention the need many of us have to finish everything on our plate regardless of whether we are full or not? No, I did not think so.
I suggest we begin the practice of conscious eating. Conscious eating is more than being aware of what we are putting in our mouths. It involves being aware of the act of eating.
The Apple Experience
Only try the following exercise when you truly feel hungry.
Grab your favorite apple. Try to pick a particularly crunchy and fresh one. (Note: Any food will do. The next time you are eating alone, turn off the TV, don’t read the paper and instead focus all your attention on what you are eating.)
Sit down somewhere and hold the apple. Start to breathe and connect to your body. (To maximize this experience, skip to Intentional Relaxation - page 57 - and practice this process at least once.) Relax and surrender to the moment. Clear your mind from your day. Connect to your mouth, tongue, and taste buds. Begin to connect to your stomach. Feel whether it’s calm or upset. Calm it by observing any tension within and dissolving it. (See Melting Tension, Aches and Pains page 59) Once it is cleared prepare your stomach by opening it to receive the forthcoming food. Feel it open. Bring the apple to your mouth and take a slow bite. Experience the sensation of biting into the apple’s flesh. Feel the texture of the crunch as you chew your apple. Feel the juices running down your throat. When you have chewed and savored enough begin to slowly swallow. Feel the apple sliding down your throat. Feel your body accepting this nutrient you have provided for it. Feel it enter your stomach and experience the sensation of having the apple.
Now, put the apple down.
Sit with yourself and experience having the apple in your belly. Feel it fill you. Notice if your mind has focused upon wanting another bite and instead return your attention back to your stomach. Feel the warm glow of the apple in your body.
When you feel you have waited long enough and your body is ready, reach for your second bite. Bite and enjoy again putting the apple down between bites. There is no rush to finish. Take your time. Notice when you feel full. Don’t finish the apple if you’re full.
Taking the time to eat in this way provides you with the experience of truly having the food you are eating and you will find it fills you up much faster and with less food.
The more you practice eating in this way, you will begin to cut down your food intake and still provide you with the nutrients you need. Practicing eating in this way by yourself is easy. The real challenge is eating like this in social settings. Social eating usually prevents us from focusing upon what we are eating in favor of conversation. My suggestion is, talk less and savor more. Practice as much as you can by yourself.
So, how do you feel? Are you full? How many bites did you take before you got full? Did you learn anything about yourself?
Conscious Eating Procedure: