She would set the table the day before all the holiday dinners, pull out the special white with silver trim china from the cabinet in the corner, and dust off the silverware.
I would help her slip the cloth napkins into the shiny silver rings and place them in the middle of each plate.
For me, family dinners began with a lot of intention, planning, and prepping of sacred space. My sweet mother loved the sacredness from start to finish – and she still does.
I realized just a few years ago how integral these family rituals were for me.
Not only have they offered me an evolution of my own food and family rituals, but they have come from a long lineage of women in my family who continued to create and evolve the traditions – each molding them into a unique expression of their souls.
Often, ritual is a way the soul craves connection, presence and sweetness. Ritual has been expressed in so many realms throughout time to fulfill this part of our soul’s desire.
Many of these rituals show up in our sharing of food, holiday traditions, and birthdays, with family and friends.
A study published in the Journal of Psychological Science showed that those who participated in ritual during, or before a meal had an enhanced experience and enjoyed the meal more because of the greater involvement and presence throughout the meal.
“Embrace the soulful place inside of you that gives you your color, your character, your personality, and your zest for life.” Marc David
Rituals have been considered a healing practice for centuries in many different cultures. Today, I offer you the opportunity to explore the rituals in the realm of food and your eating so you can find your SOULFULNESS and SATIATION to your delight.
5 Steps to Soulful Satiation
- Start with Intention
We can bring intention, love, consciousness and awareness to our food practices just as if they were a divine body prayer, a deep connection to your beloved self or even another platform in which to practice consciousness in our lives.
Bri Maya, author of The Path of Practice, is best known for her healing practices around eating. Bri Maya came from ancient India where the women who were cooking, and preparing food, brought so much intention and prayer along side of eating.
Women would roast grains, grind masalas, and sift beans while chanting and praying into their food.
It was said that these prayers and this consciousness around food and sustenance greatly impacted the way in which the food could heal our bodies and how we can find even deeper soul nourishment in our eating.
- Create the Space
Just like my mom did before special dinners, you can find YOUR way to making your eating happen in a sacred space.
Finding your sacred space to eat is like applying awareness and intention to all aspects of our lives. We can begin with positive clear thoughts, a healthy whole food plate, and an inviting space to cook, eat and at the same time, feed our souls.
When you close your eyes and imagine creating sacred space, clearing space or bringing a love and attention to an aspect of your eating that needs some attention, where does your intuition take you. Where does your eating need a little more detail, clearing, or cleansing. Is your refrigerator full of expired condiments? Is your kitchen table cluttered with paperwork? Or is your eating environment inviting, comforting and calm?
- Feed Your Body As Your Temple
By holding the highest most supportive thoughts about ourselve in the forefront of our minds, we can surely imagine how the nutrient density, source, and specifics of your food and eating can fuel your body. It’s just like you were worshipping her with all her beauty, energy, and life force.
For us to truly live our purpose, and do our work in the world, we have to be well taken care of by ourselves. We are worth the extra money, time, and energy it takes to fuel ourselves with love and sustenance so that we have the energy to give back in our circles of life.
- Meet Mindfulness
Giving yourself the permission to SLOW down and SIT down is big. It is necessary. It is important.
Slowing down can feel awkward, scary, uncomfortable, or even too quiet, but it is something to test out and practice. As we get more familiar with this kind of eating, it gets easier. Put on some good music, create a peaceful ambiance, and love yourself through your mealtime and really experience and savor your EATING.
- Grace and Gratitude
The more gratitude we experience the more our gratitude grows.
“As gratitude is cultivated, we experience an increase in our happiness and joy”
This is very good news not only for your inner experience, your thoughts, and your positivity, but also…
…when we engage the relaxed side of our nervous system, we are able to assimilate, absorb, and digest our food so much more effectively.
Through gratitude, we accept the good in all, including our plates.
We are just one month away. Come join us and give yourself a break to reset, rejuvenate, and relax while experiencing the MAGIC of BALI.
