food sadhana as ritual
Food is our first and ultimately most powerful medicine. Food carries Prana, Tejas, and Ojas into the tissues. It transmits not only the 20 gunas (qualities) into the tissues, but also states of consciousness (Maha Gunas). The sourcing, preparation, and eating of food is one of the most important and frequent healing rituals that we partake in. It presents an opportunity multiple times a day to create balance and invite in nourishment. The act of eating is an act of caring for the sacred fire, Agni. What we eat AND how we eat are of equal importance.
How to tend agni through WHAT we eat, we can:
Eat fresh, seasonal, organic fruit, vegetables, legumes, and grains
Eat whole, or minimally processed foods
Use identifiable oils (ex.ghee, olive, sesame) vs. unidentifiable (ex. vegetable)
Consume left-overs within a day of being prepared
Eat for our appropriate dosha
How to tend agni HOW we eat, consider:
Keeping consistent meal times aligned with the Ayurvedic Clock
Sitting down to eat
Being fully present and attentive to the nourishment you are receiving
Chewing your food thoroughly and staying aware of all its qualities through each of your senses
Having mindful conversation during meals
Not eating when experiencing strong emotions
Allowing a minimum of three hours after your last meal before bed
With these food sadhana considerations in mind, reciting a mealtime prayer is a great way to seed your intentions before taking your meal.
mealtime prayer
After cooking with intention and love in your sacred space, and before taking in the nourishment of your meal, sit with you food. Using all five senses, prepare your body for this nourishment. Feel the warmth or coolness of the dish in your hands; smell the aromatics; look at the texture and colors your have prepared. Recite aloud or internally:
“May This Food Nourish Me
May This Place Nourish Me
May These People Nourish Me”
When we create space for thoughtful intention and a slowed pace during meal and meal prep time, we take a step towards healing. We make a conscious effort to prepare our food thoughtfully, in consideration of the how and why. In this way, our medicine is able to nourish us deeply, and move us towards balance.
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