Mindfulness

I'm taking you guys along with me on my mindfulness journey for the next 6 weeks. Along with my usual fare, I'll check in here to share notes or experiences or revelations along the way. I'm attending the UCLA MARC workshop with one of my dearest friends and so far it's been a slow start. And when I write "slow", I don't mean that in a bad way AT ALL. Slow is actually a very good thing. This first week of mindfulness has reminded me of that. Slow is good. Slow is where I take a step back or maybe even forward, or take a step inward and breathe deep. Slow -- to me these days -- means a kind consideration of what is going on in just. this. moment. Slow is exactly what I need right now. I found it interesting that we used food to tap into our mindfulness during our first meeting...

I'll call it the grape/raisin experience. I had done this once before in a Wellness Workshop, but used a raisin instead of a grape and it was useful to try it again. This time we were given two grapes, and told to look at them, then hold them, perhaps smell them, just observe them. The instructor walked us through the history of the grape, from seed to sprout, growth to fruit, tending to harvest, packaging to transport, etc. We were told to put one up to our mouth, but not eat it. We were then instructed to close our eyes, then to put it into our mouth, then slowly begin to chew it, observing the entire experience along the way. 

Everyone has a completely different experience with food. This exercise provided a meditation on eating. A mindful eating exercise. I encourage you to try it. Begin with that first sip of water in the morning or with the first bite of food at every meal. Slowing down and considering how we nourish ourselves is an invaluable practice and a meaningful metaphor for how we live our lives. When we make it a habit to slow down and kindly consider what we choose as sustenance for our bodies, we eventually use that same meditation to nourish our minds and hearts as well. 

I'm continuing my own journey of trying a new fruit or vegetable every week and will post more on that later, but a sneak peak at what's to come: pea sprouts, loquats, rutabaga, chioggia beets and watermelon radishes.

Kindness and love to each of you!