“The ancient yogis considered eating to be a sacred act, in which one living part of nature absorbs and integrates another.” ~ Charles Eisenstein
The yoga of eating is a philosophy of eating that is an extension of one’s spiritual practice. It is a reminder of the interconnectedness us humans have with nature and everything around us.
Part of the idea behind the yoga of eating is that not only are you eating the food in front of you, but you are also eating everything involved in your experience of eating, from the emotions you are feeling, to the thoughts you are experiencing to the conversations you are having, as well as all the other things you are consuming in the moment (for example, content you are watching on your phone or the television, or a stressful conversation you are having while eating).
“If your attention is elsewhere when you eat, you are not eating the food at all,” writes Charles Eisenstein in his book The Yoga of Eating. He goes on to share a story from Buddhist monk Thích Nhat Hanh about a friend who was eating tangerines while discussing something he was angry about. He revealed that the person wasn’t really eating the tangerines; he was eating the anger.
To further explore this notion, here are some insights from Charles’ book:
- “If you watch TV while you eat, you are eating the TV program.”
- “If you read while you eat, you are eating the words.”
- “If you eat while angry, you are eating
- the anger.”
- “If you eat while absorbed by the scenery, you are eating the scenery.”
- “If you talk a lot while you eat, you are eating the conversation.”
In addition, the yoga of eating philosophy is about being aware that consumption is not just what you eat but also how you eat — and your environment plays a big role in that. This is because when we eat, Charles suggests that we are in a state of absorption. “One is eating the entire experience of the meal, not just the physical food. The ambiance and emotional environment contribute to this experience, to the extent that they influence one’s own state of mind,” shares Charles.
The yoga of eating philosophy is, at its essence, an authentic expression of mindful and intuitive eating: “The fundamental method and practice of the yoga of eating is to listen to your body-soul, trusting the tools of taste, smell and intuition, not imposing any specific expectations, not expecting any specific results … Enjoy the delights so freely available in the form of food, a gift that never ends.”
If you would like to explore this concept in more depth, Charles Eisenstein’s book The Yoga of Eating is a great resource. His writing explores how to cultivate deep self-trust and recover your authentic appetite so that you can find a harmonious relationship with food.
