Page 112 - Dhamma Practice

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If we observe carefully, we will find that the taste of the food that emerges—if we have the awareness to see and if we do not add new food—it would gradually fade away and cease also. This is to contemplate the impermanence of taste. But, why do we need to see this impermanence? Here, we need to contemplate the impermanence of taste, in order not to be attached to it. When we see that the taste exists in an empty space and we are not attached to it, then what? Then, we do not need to consistently take it. We become aware of it and let it go. We will contemplate whether taking it provides benefits or harm—this is the contemplation of food flavor.
Now, when we contemplate the flavor of the food—the impermanence is the emergence-cessation of the taste. In a more refined sense, the taste that emerges, be it sour, sweet, savory, or salty—when the sweetness emerges, that sweetness is lumpy or does it emerge-cease consistently? Now, this is difficult to experience because the phenomenon passes quickly and is very refined. But, the best way to contemplate the emergence-cessation phenomenon and the best way to have the awareness in the present while we are eating is to contemplate our chewing phenomenon.
As we chew each mouthful, how does each impact cease? Better still, let our awareness be present at the impact point during the chewing. As we chew each mouthful, does the chewing impact our mind and our