Mindful Eating

Guidelines for eating

Before eating we can enjoy breathing in and out.

We should take our time as we eat, chewing each mouthful at least 30 times, until the food becomes liquefied. This aids the digestive process.

Let us enjoy every morsel of our food, eating in such a way that solidity, joy, and peace is possible during the time of eating.

Eating in silence, the food becomes real with our mindfulness and we are fully aware of its nourishment.

Upon finishing our meal, we take a few moments to notice that we have finished, that our bowl is now empty and our hunger is satisfied.

Gratitude fills us as we realise how fortunate we are to have had this nourishing food to eat, supporting us on the path of love and understanding.

Before eating we recite the five contemplations below.

The Five Contemplations

This food is a gift of the earth, the sky, numerous living beings, and much hard and loving work.

May we eat with mindfulness and gratitude so as to be worthy to receive this food.

May we recognize and transform unwholesome mental formations, especially our greed and learn to eat with moderation

May we keep our compassion alive by eating in such a way that reduces the suffering of living beings, stops contributing to climate change, and heals and preserves our precious planet.

We accept this food so that we may nurture our brotherhood and sisterhood, build our sangha, and nourish our ideal of serving all living beings.