Friday, February 14, 2003


Chocolate and Coffee Meditation

I would like to begin my contribution to Fortune's wonderful, informative and entertaining "blog" with a sincere expression of gratitude to her for providing me this opportunity.

Now, I know there are many yogis and yoginis who look askance at the consumption of chocolate and/or coffee (and so when they indulge do so guiltily!) but I am not one of them! Indeed, my first Ayurvedic teacher reminded me that one should eat a large variety of foods in moderation. Chocolate and coffee are considered "rajasic" which means leading to passion, craving, disturbance -- it's the the energy of activity. (Milk Chocolate is considered "tamasic," leading to sloth, lethargy and dullness). As one who is on the Kaphic side constitutionally, a littel rajas is just what the (Ayurvedic) doctor ordered, and so I enjoy my daily allotment of dark chocolate, and a good cup of "joe" on most mornings.

What I'd like to share today, is how one can join me in a cup of coffee and a nice piece of chocolate (figuratively speaking) as a yogic practice of mindful meditation. First, once the coffee is prepared (and one can do this in mindfulness), and poured into your favorite mug, before doing anything else, really look into the cup of coffee and the chocolate set before you. Thich Nhat Hanh points out that if we don't give ourselves some time to really look at the food we are about to consume, then it doesn't become "real" to us. If we are consumed with thoughts of work, or anything other than what is in front of us, all we do is eat our plans, worries and daydreams!

As you look at the coffee and chocolate, you can contemplate that within it is the whole of the universe -- the earth (minerals from the stars), the rain, the sun, much hard work. If we are unaware of where and how the coffee and chocolate has come from to us, there may have been a lot of suffering that entered into it also. This realization may compel us to look deeper into the source of our chocolate and coffee so that we needn't continue the cycle of suffering. Fortune has long campaigned for choosing free trade coffee and chocolate.

We can remind ourselves that in order to be "worthy" of consuming this offering from the earth, we should indeed offer it our whole-hearted mindfulness. We can make the aspiration to transform our unskillful states of mind, especially our greed, and learn to eat in moderation. This reminds us that if we are consuming the chocolate and coffee from habit, or emotional needs, we will ultimately be disappointed with the coffee and chocolate, as no food can provide the peace of mind we wish to cultivate.

The fourth contemplation is that we are determined to consume only foods that nourish us and prevent illness. Now, thankfully, Fortune has provided many, many accounts of science showing us how moderate amounts of dark chocolate (With at least 60% or so of cocoa as its main ingrediant) and coffee do in fact have beneficial health benefits!

And finally, we make the intention to consume the chocolate and coffee so that we may realize our "Buddha-mind" and live in understanding and compassion.

As we take the first bite of chocolate, please chew slowly and well. Let the tongue savor all the tastes of the chocolate. When you sip your coffee, let it swish around a moment and gently swallow feeling the warmth of the liquid flow down into your belly. If you take the time to really be there for the chocolate and coffee, I can gurantee that you will enjoy them both more then if you simply eat and drink while doing something else.

Many people think yoga/buddhism is joyless. They are wrong and haven't a clue. Those who understand practice are filled with joy, and can enjoy the pleasures of chocolate and coffee without becoming attached or lost in the action. They eat and drink in freedom. May you enjoy the next cup of coffee, the next piece of chocolate and be peace!

frank jude boccio

posted by Poep Sa Frank Jude | 11:06 AM | top | link to this | email this: | | | 0 comments