I once knew a Belgian fellow who was a wonderful cook. He would spend hours getting some mouth-watering dish together. Then when wed sit down to eat, hed scoff everything but the plate in two minutes flat. A bit like a doggie greedily gobbling his food. I think he thought he enjoyed it, but he didnt really know what he was missing. Food is to be savoured -- the texture and crunch of pastry, the tenderness of meat, the subtle taste of basil, the way a good wine lingers long after it is swallowed. And it all happens in the Now. Its a matter of Mindfulness. Enjoying food only happens in the Now. Rushing a meal doesnt allow for much Now. And there are other things that take from the Now of enjoying food. Even conversation, if too intense, can take from the enjoyment of food. Can I even remember what it was I ate, if the conversation took all my attention? Even a gipsy violinist in a restaurant is a distraction from enjoying food. Food involves two of our senses -- taste and touch. If we have to listen to some bloody violinist beside our table, then the sense of hearing will stop us from enjoying that taste and touch. Many years ago I was young monk in a monastery. Meals there were taken in complete silence. It wasnt exactly gourmet fare, but I never enjoyed food as much as I did then. You see, there were no distractions. What do you think? OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAlookandgrowmindful/wp-admin/post.php?post=499&action=edit&message=1#post_nameOLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA~ David PS Theres a lot more to eating, of course, than Ive said here. For instance, the joy of sharing. But we can deal with that another time.
Posted on: Fri, 15 Aug 2014 14:19:33 +0000