Practice: Mindful EatingSession Objectives
Inattentive vs. Mindful EatingInattentive EatingAutopilot is a necessary mental function. We can do all kinds of things without paying much attention to what it is that we are ding or what we are experiencing. We can walk and talk at the same time, or make important safety moves while driving without much thought. At the same time, staying in autopilot can be a problem if we miss out on our actual life experience because we are not paying attention to it. Think about the following examples:
Mindful Eating: Exiting Autopilot and Tuning InMindful eating, then, is eating with awareness and intention--the "first bite pleasure." Think about biting into a really juicy peach, compelling attention and is so good. Turn off autopilot and be curious and attentive to what happens. Mindful eating
Using the example of eating, how could inattentiveness cause problems?
Application to academicsThink about times when difficulties due to hunger or overeating, eating junk food, body image, etc. have impacted academic functioning. Some examples of difficulties are
Now think about times when you attended to the richness of the moment or realized that you missed out on a present moment. Actually experiencing a moment can really be refreshing--a stark difference between present moment awareness and unproductive worry or trivial distraction ("mental junk food"). |
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Let's give it a try
You will find two mindful eating practices in this section, one for raisins (or other dried fruit) and one for chocolate. If you eat both of these foods, you might want to try both practices; they are both included because some people can't eat (or don't like) one or the other. Once you"get the hang of it"a mindful eating practice is fairly easy to apply to foods you do eat and like.
Mindfulness and the Art of Eating Chocolate
This guided practice is a little over 4 minutes long. You will need a piece of wrapped chocolate before you start.
The Chocolate Meditation - Williams & Penman, from Finding Peace in a Frantic World
The Chocolate Meditation - Williams & Penman, from Finding Peace in a Frantic World
Raisin Exercise
This guided practice is about 5 minutes long. You will need a raisin before you start.
Eating a Raisin Mindfully - Dzung Vo
Eating a Raisin Mindfully - Dzung Vo
How was that?
How was that different from your general eating experiences? More intense? Frustrating? Pleasurable?
Were you more aware of your emotions during the exercise?
Could this change your future experience of eating chocolate or raisins? Other foods? Why or why not?
Were you more aware of your emotions during the exercise?
Could this change your future experience of eating chocolate or raisins? Other foods? Why or why not?
In the next week
Eat at least one meal or snack mindfully. You could use these guided audios to help you if you like.
Aim for at least two formal guided meditations this week (your choice).
Practice informally as often as possible.
If you are doing this session for class credit, please download the form below to complete and turn in to your professor.
Aim for at least two formal guided meditations this week (your choice).
Practice informally as often as possible.
If you are doing this session for class credit, please download the form below to complete and turn in to your professor.
mt_at_mc_credit_sheet_for_students.docx | |
File Size: | 14 kb |
File Type: | docx |