On my journey to self-improvement, I have come across this helpful article on mindful eating. I've heard of this practice about a year and a half ago but seldom took notice while eating; a meditation in action.
Recently I've been craving meat which led me to question why I became pescetarian in April. I made the decision shortly after arriving in Nepal; a very Hindu and Buddhist country. I had just backpacked five and a half months in China, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam, excessively eating cheap and questionable meats. The animals I was consuming were the one's I had seen roaming the dirty streets and then later hung in open markets exposed to the sun and flies. I needed to cleanse.
I have met a number of different thinkers when it comes to what they eat. Some believe in eating only what they need and listening to their body when desires arise. Others believe in necessity - if they cannot kill and prepare the food than they should not eat it. I have found that when I think about what the animal looked like, how it was treating and what it must have felt; meat becomes unpalatable. Animals are raised to die and I was insensitive about it.
Tina Williamson's article helped reaffirm how I first felt, particularly the third point about expressing gratitude. "I've noticed that expressing gratitude centers me in the present moment, negative emotions dissipate, and it reminds me not to take things for granted." I attempted her method with a peach and thought about my emotions, the processes of attaining the fruit, it's feel, smell and taste. It felt more nourishing.
I occasionally stress eat - I can think of a number of times when job hunting has gotten me down. It goes against my efforts to eat right for my half-marathon training; I have already struggled without alcohol. But I believe in progress. I will be more mindful when I eat just as I have been practicing present-mindedness through equanimity and developing focus while running.
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