A New Earth & Your Health!

I, like many other seekers of wisdom and expansion, am reading Eckhart Tolle's book, A New Earth and watching the 10-week live webcast with Eckhart and Oprah. (And let me say, I'm loving every minute of it!) Interestingly, while I was watching the podcast for Chapter 3's lesson today, one woman who Skyped in from Germany had a very interesting question for Eckhart.

Without getting into the details of the book, her question was about when we know something is 'bad' for us (ie. french fries and red wine in her case!) - why is it that we (our minds) continue to choose these things that we know are wrong/bad and, as a result, it produces anxiety within us. Great question! This question was of personal significance, because I often see patients for weight-loss and they tend to fall into the same behavioural pattern.

Eckhart's answer was simple, yet profound. To break free of the self-inflicated anxiety we create when we label things (food in this case) as 'good' and 'bad', we must be conscious and present while we are eating (regardless of what it is we are eating) and learn to silence the mind chatter that is judging and telling us that we shouldn't be eating this, that and the other.

Oprah made a great comment as well - its not the french fries that are bad, she said, its the thought in your head that says its bad! How true is that! Don't get me wrong, I am a nutritionist and I do advice people everyday on healthy food choices, however, I also know that berating oneself and feeling bad about what we eat is not the way to achieve any goal.

Eckhart went on to add that we must experience the food and create a meditation out of it, so we enjoy it. And guess what - if you truly are present and experience that food with all your senses (and give your mind a well-needed break from all the chatter) - you'll find you won't eat as much of it, because it has satisfied you. Wow. Simple concept - but it is absolutely, 100% true. When we stop resisting things, the tension and anxiety we create around it will melt away effortlessly.

So if you had a 'bad' day today with your food choices and are feeling anxious about it - remember, that its only 'bad' because that's the label you've given your behaviour and kicking yourself about it will only strengthen the fight. Instead, accept it, make peace with it and tomorrow, start to experience food and be present when you're eating - its a much happier way to live.

Comments

[Vijay Sappani]

I should get this book, sounds interesting. On another note, how do South Asian's eat healthy and still enjoy desi food!

[Enjoying Life]

A New Earth, by Eckhart Tolle is a must read. It is amazing the perpesctive he has on life and the ego. It seems our ego is what drives so many people but in the long run it is our downfall. I hope many people will be effected by this book and really the mindset it allows anyone to create. I have been recommending it to everyone.

[Savia]

I should get my hands on this book. It sounds interesting for sure and vaguely reminiscent of Psychology 101! Labels only get us so far...

[Chris]

My wife and I are reading this book and it is incredible! I would reccommend it for anyone. It's seems most people are just unconscious when they eat, they eat on the go and when they are watching t.v. It makes sense that we shouldn't feel bad about eating something. It also seems that maybe this bad feeling may be part of the collective pain body.