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50 EASTERN HORIZON | PERSONAL REFLECTIONS

The aim is to be the maker and creator of your first The pain I feel from childhood has made me the
feelings of the day, which will undoubtedly effect the empathetic person I am today.
remainder of your day. The first feelings of the day are
the most influential as to how the rest of your day will The goal is to cultivate positive energy toward the good
be. If you make an effort to make these thoughts a part feelings that we have as well as the bad. But we can only
of your conscious and subconscious awareness, you will discover what those are if we are mindful.
not only have a more peaceful day, but affect others in Begin . . . just begin.
the same manners as well.
4. Before you eat, Offer your food to Buddha
3. Practice Mindfulness There is perhaps no other more automatic and mindless
The mind, the brain and our thoughts can be wonderful action that humans have than the act of eating, and yet,
and glorious gifts we can give ourselves, if we use them it is truly an act that can bring peace and serenity, while
right. But as we all know, our minds often lead us into also making us more physically healthy.
destructive patterns of thought, extreme negative
inner self-talk and self-deprecation that can lead us Of course you might ask yourself, “How do I offer food to
into feeling pretty awful, if not downright isolated and Buddha? What does that even mean?”
depressed.
Start by imagining that all good food is made of a
Many depressed people claim to feel tired all of the time, blissful nectar that increases all of your wisdom. Next,
even those who have a relaxed schedule, as negative imagine that Buddha is lightness in your heart and that
emotions are truly toxic and exhausting to the spirit, when you eat, you offer the blissful nectar to Buddha,
mind and the body. as you are nourishing and filling up your own heart and
soul. Visualize this thought and eat mindfully, feeling
Being mindful means that rather than simply going grateful for the act of eating and for the gift that it is
through the motions and reliving pain, you will become giving us. This will also ensure that you will eat slower
more aware of your feelings and thoughts, and therefore and help you to reflect about where your food came
improve them. By becoming more aware of your from, how it came to your table, to your mouth, and to
feelings, you are more likely to think of actions and your well being.
solutions as they relate to negative and toxic thoughts.
How I Offer my Food to Buddha
How to practice Mindfulness As I imagine Buddha within my body, I think of him or

Begin by becoming more aware of your feelings when her as a kind and gentle child that I only want to nourish
you feel them, whether they are joy, pain, elation, and keep happy.
ambivalence, fear or anger. Allowing yourself to feel
your raw feelings when you feel them is truly the first When I prepare my food, I do it slowly, carefully and
start in being able to manage your emotions and find with mindfulness, cutting fresh foods beautifully and
your way to peace. precisely and stirring cooked foods gently and patiently.
Whether it be a salad, fish or just a piece of fruit, I
Some of my spiritual epiphanies through mindfulness imagine how much the Buddha within me will enjoy it
include: much more if I take my time to eat it and enjoy it.
My past suffering does not have to hurt me any longer.
I feel the joys in my life much more strongly than any This careful act of eating has not only made the ritual
pain. of eating a positive one each every time, but it has also
I only have today and I can make it anything and any way inspired me to eat healthier food and therefore, become
that I want it to be. a healthier being, inside and out.
I truly love my children, and when they experience pain or
joy, I feel it too.