Mindful eating: Let's have chocolate

Clare, Generation Calm, March 14, 2019; Dhr. Seven, Ananda (Dharma Buddhist Meditation), Jen B. (eds.), Wisdom Quarterly

• Chocolate Meditation before Valentine's Day with New Year Intention Setting, Breathwork (Los Angeles, 1/27/24)

Mindful eating exercise | A CHOCOLATE MEDITATION

(Generation Calm) Mindfulness (sati) exercises come no more delicious than mindfully eating chocolate for a "chocolate meditation."

This mindful eating exercise brings our full attention to a piece of chocolate and uses all of our senses to intensify the experience.

Mindful eating is paying attention to the food before, during, and after dining. We have six senses, so we can take notice of:

1. how it looks,
2. how it sounds (unwrapping),
3. how it smells,
4. how it feels,
5. how it tastes,
6. how it is otherwise sensed [by the mind].

Chocolate, of course, has a smell. More than that, it has a texture, as we sense how it feels in our mouth and in hand as it melts.

But perhaps most importantly is the assessment of how it feels throughout the body before and after being taken as food.

Assessing is, of course, NOT the right word. Why? A chocolate meditation is not a taste test, evaluation, or comparison. It is an experience of what is real -- without judgements, concepts, preconceptions, evaluations, measuring, assessing -- as it is experienced with the body.

Mindful eating is associated with weight loss in that it helps us make healthy eating choices to develop healthier habits. Mindfulness helps us notice when we are feeling full and can help stop the rollercoaster ride of dieting and bingeing.

❤ Pick a favorite piece of chocolate and join this 6-minute meditation for a peaceful mindful eating exercise. - Clare

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DISCLAIMER: This information should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health condition or disease and is not intended as a substitute for consulting with a physician or healthcare provider. Generation Calm is where viewers can become masters at reducing stress and anxiety naturally in their own time, so as to keep body and mind feeling great.