The last time you ate, were you completely absorbed in thinking about something else, or were you just eating? Did you enjoy the food?
Next time you eat, plan on just eating. Focus your attention completely on the smelling, the tasting, the chewing and the swallowing. Thoughts come and go. Remain in your moment-to-moment awareness of sensing and experiencing the simple pleasure of just eating.
Once you’ve experienced benefits from just eating, you may find yourself the quiet one among those who are talkative at the table. Feel free to treat yourself to a quiet-mind meal in an otherwise stress-filled day. You may be a welcomed example to others. When eating with awareness you may find you eat more slowly and are satisfied with less. You may taste your food better and chew it consciously. Just eating rests and refreshes the mind and feels like a mini-vacation. Remembering awareness is a gift to your self and others.
