About a year ago, I was preparing to make a journey. Part of that preparation was fasting. Okay, I thought, this is a physical preparation, get my body used to going without food. I was concerned I’d be hungry. The two day fast was also without fluids. I was concerned about functioning. I doubted that I would become physically weak and become a burden to others.
What I didn’t know was the journey without food brought to me. I wasn’t preparing for anything during those two days – I was in it. So aware of my own body’s metabolism, hunger pains coming and going. I didn’t just look at people differently, I saw them. I watched people eat food and realized I ate food in the same way, without consciousness, a movement that accompanied companionship and conversation, or on the way somewhere. I was fascinated at how my growing wakefulness seems to smooth the grumblings to near silence. But I knew there was another reason. I knew my two day fast would be over at some point in the coming hours. It also was very clear this was my choice. Would I have been so casual with my enlightened feelings had this not been my choice and there was no end in sight? I think not.
Eating – one of the most basic functions in life – all life, and we forget it. Basic, basic stuff, and we forget it. Is it any wonder we are capable of letting important things go? We forget our hearts. We forget each other.
It has been a year, and I still talk with the food I’m about to eat. Mostly I say thank you, and it usually says your welcome.
