Be There for Your Breakfast

AA said: Hello Sabina! J’ai lu ton message du lundi matin après avoir bu mon thé et ce matin, j’avais allumé une bougie…! Comme quoi…

BB said: Harika start of a week! You are a source of inspiration and lucky moi having you in my life 💜

CC said: J'aime beaucoup et j’essaie de le pratiquer comme  «carême »

Be There for Your Breakfast

When you eat your breakfast, even if it is just a small bite early in the morning, eat in such a way that freedom is possible. While eating breakfast, don’t think of the future, of what you are going to do. Your practice is to simply eat breakfast. Your breakfast is there for you; you have to be there for your breakfast.

                                 Thich Nhat Hanh: Keeping the Peace

Mindful eating is an art. I’ve been learning it for years, but I don’t always succeed. 

Breakfast is the meal where it works best for me, especially when I eat it alone. All in all my mindfulness level is highest in the morning, since I wake up with all good resolutions fresh in mind. 

For breakfast I light some candles - especially in winter - arrange my teapot, cup and oryoki bowl nicely, and sit down in full awareness. Before taking the first bite I say Thank You to the Universe and all living beings that have brought the food to my table. Then I eat my food and drink my tea with as much attention as I am capable of. 

Of course, there are days when my thoughts flutter off. However, the mere sight of my bowl and my cup, which I always use in the morning, tend to bring me back to what I am eating and to enjoy it fully.

Eating is often a social occasion and then it is hard to eat mindfully, but with practice you can even succeed at such times. Why not start practicing tomorrow morning? Send thoughts gratefulness to the Earth, plants, insects, animals and people who made your breakfast possible and take the first sip or bite with full awareness. It will fulfill you in a whole new way.