Mindful eating is not always easy. We are often so busy or distracted that miss out on the pleasure of being nourished.
There is a wealth of resources in Judaism that might inform not only what we eat, but also how we eat. Food is central to many Jewish gatherings. The practice of saying a blessing before we eat can cultivate awareness of the food that we consume. Saying a blessing over food can also draw our attention to the act of eating, so that we might stop and notice what is happening in our bodies and minds as we eat.
The practice of meditation can also cultivate mindful eating. We can notice how our food looks, smells, and feels even before we take a bite. What happens in our mouth and in our stomach as we prepare to eat? As we take our first bite?
For a course that I have developed with the Institute for Jewish Spirituality and Mazon on Eating as a Spiritual Practice, click here.
