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The Dhammapada: The Monk Chapter 4
When eating, we must turn off the “radio” inside—non-stop thinking—in order to be fully in touch with our food and with the sangha body, the two objects of mindfulness while eating. Skillfully make the object of mindfulness vivid by counting your chewing: put a spoonful of rice into your mouth, chew slowly, counting from one to thirty. In this way, the stream of thoughts stops, and we become deeply aware of the origin of the food—carrot, tofu, bread—and we smile in peace as we see ourselves “eating the sun,” feeling the sacred connection between ourselves, Mother Earth, and the sun. Gratitude for the food and the sunlight brings simple happiness, present in every meal.
The second foundation of mindfulness is the sangha body—the sacred community that connects past, present, and future. Looking at each member as a stream of tradition, we generate reverence and respect. At the same time, we practice “constant contemplation of the five aggregates”—observing and taking care of the five skandhas as a shepherd cares for his flock:
- Form
- Feelings
- Perceptions
- Mental formations
-
Consciousness
not letting them go astray. Through this, we give rise to “non-attachment to possessions,” letting go of our clinging to material things, and apply “guarding the sense doors”—protecting the six senses—together with “knowing what is enough”—contentment—in order to attain pure conduct, peace, and absolute freedom.