BEGINNER'S MIND AT THE TABLE
by being fully present for our food, we taste it as if for the very first time. the intensity of our focus transforms a simple piece of fruit into a feast for our senses. this attitude of attentiveness is referred to as the beginner's mind in buddhist thought.
the beginner's mind at the table is characterized by a childlike wonder and curiosity, which allows us to focus our attention on exploring and extracting the maximum amount of taste and pleasure from our food. experiencing food in this way becomes an embodied meditation, one made more profound by engaging all our senses. practicing the mindset while eating can set us up to be more present and discerning in aspects of our lives beyond eating and our table.
A BARTLETT PEAR
we begin by bringing our attention to the pear in our bowl. we notice that it is a very particular pear. we observe its shape, the scratches and pock marks on its chartreuse skin, how it turns a shade of pinky-apricot in certain places. we pick it up with our hands and feel its satisfying convexity. we bring it close to our nose to smell its honey-citrus-ness. it enters our mouth with an audible gush, we taste it fully as the sweet-tart juices run down our throats. mindfulness puts us squarely in the here and now and edits all other thought. we are fully present with this pear in this moment. we will remember its taste and our pleasure in consuming it for a very long time.
HOW TO CONSTRUCT A FEAST
by giving the food in front of us our undivided attention and by slowing down to really taste its complexity, we signal to our brains that we are deserving of good food eaten with consideration.
ENJOY FOOD AT ITS SIMPLEST
food does not have to be expensive and complicated to be complex and satisfying. a piece or sourdough bread and olive oil can be a revelation if eaten with mindfulness.
PARTICIPATE IN ITS PREPARATION
the more you have engaged in choosing and preparing your food, the more you will be invested in tasting the fruits of your labor.
EXPLORE YOUR FOOD BEFORE CONSUMING IT
eating portioned food from packages can dull our taste buds through predictability. it also takes away the elements of surprise and anticipation from the equation which reduces our enjoyment of the food itself and leave us unsatisfied.
EAT SITTING DOWN IF POSSIBLE
placing our food at the center of our attention on a table and sitting down to consume it, announces to our brain that we have transitioned to an activity that needs our focus.
EAT AWAY FROM SCREENS
when we eat distracted by our screens we barely taste our food. hunger is a complex mechanism and this can be deeply unsatisfying and lead us to crave more than we actually need for sustenance.
SLOWDOWN
chewing our food slowly can extract the maximum amount of flavor from our food and lead to a higher level of satisfaction.
EAT WITH OTHERS AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE
eating and sharing food allows us to cultivate our attention and fosters community at the same time.
OCCASIONALLY EAT ALONE AND IN SILENCE
sometimes eating alone and in silence can help us bring our curiosity and sensorial acuity to taste familiar foods in new ways.
each time you look at a tangerine, you can see deeply into it. you can see everything in the universe in one tangerine. when you peel it and smell it, it's wonderful. you can take your time eating a tangerine and be very happy.
thich nhat hanh, zen buddhist monk
