Zen Eating

the first time i was introduced the concept was about 10 years ago when i “accidentally” connect with a place that offers kind of a healing course.

happened that there was a weekly activity where a free veggie meal was offered to the public. it was prepared by volunteers using very fresh ingredients. a max. of 60 people were allowed. first come first served.

the host would first guide the group quiet down, enter into kind of meditative state, before receiving this lovely blessing in gratitude.

i had the honour to help out serve the meal for a period of time. it was amazing to see how such a big group can eat so quietly, gratefully, totally … in quite a small space. people were normally quite uplifted afterwards and expressed much thankfulness to all involved.

it is certainly much more than a meal, which is just “an excuse” to get people out of the usual busy life / mind but turn attention inwards toward themselves.

Many of us are still used to talk over the dining table, esp. chinese who have a share-food culture.

Over the years, i enjoy eating alone so much that it becomes so uneasy for me now to eat with someone except those who can share silence.

to receive wonderful blessings from mother earth in a natural setting with the presence of plants, animals, sky, cloud, wind, sea… is one of my favorite activity.

it is not only good for health, (as we tend to over eat and chew less when we do not ingest food consciously), but facilitate a deeper connection with ourselves and mother earth which in turn generate greater gratitude for all foods that we receive.

it might be a good business idea to have “quiet zone” in restaurants / cafes esp. veggie ones.. the ripple effect of this seemingly small move might be phenomenal.

Namaskar

Sat Nam Deep I