If You Overeat, Take a Look at “Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life”

If, like most of us, you’ve struggled with overeating, then the practice of mindful eating can be a huge help. In Buddhist practice, full attention and awareness of the thoughts, sensations, feelings, and emotions that arise in the physical act of eating are highly important.

Perhaps the most comprehensive treatment of mindfulness and eating in print is this new book by Vietnamese Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh:

Savor: Mindful Eating, Mindful Life

 Written with nutritionist Dr. Lilian Cheung, Savor is handbook for not only changing the way one eats, but one’s whole outlook on food and life. As the Booklist review states:

“So essential to healthy eating is a healthy perspective that Zen Buddhist master and prolific author Nhat Hanh joins forces with nutritionist Cheung for a truly holistic approach. The duo pairs the latest nutritional information with the age-old Buddhist practice of mindfulness—that is, of being fully aware of all that is going on within ourselves and all that is happening around us—to draw attention to what and how we eat. 

Guidance is offered for recognizing what barriers—physical, psychological, cultural, and environmental—prevent us from controlling our weight, and readers are encouraged to savor food in order to fully nourish both the body and the mind. To that end, Nhat Hanh provides guided meditations on everything from eating an apple to coping with stressful situations, along with advice on selecting and preparing food, staying active, and avoiding self-criticism. Complete with a discussion of why healthy eating is also good for the environment, this is a uniquely insightful and positive program for wellness: a book of tested wisdom; practical action; and intellectual, emotional, and spiritual nutriments.“

I’m in the midst of reading Savor and can’t recommend it enough. Even if overeating is not a big problem for you, the compassionate wisdom you’ll find in this book can revolutionize and transform your life. Highly recommended!

For more in-depth dharma articles and instruction, visit:  METTA REFUGE

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