With a cup of matte and a splash of oat milk. I haven’t had a cup of tea in a week, and taking a momentary break from the smoothie routine.
After five days of no “real food” it’s startling how easy it is. Just don’t eat it. Simply don’t cave to the crave. They are constant, and by Buddhist standards, that’s suffering.
I struggled with the over arching theme of Buddhism for years, “Life is (full of) suffering.” Thinking, wow, that’s awfully half-empty, not a very positive outlook.
I then heard someone talking about it, and one line resonated with me, about when you’re hungry (craving something) you’re suffering. It’s not a judgement, it’s a simple fact, if you’re not happy, content, you’re suffering…
Yes, that’s dangerously black and white thinking, but it simplifies things from the standpoint of the equally black and white strategy of “If you’re not part of the solution, you’re part of the problem”
What Buddhism has taught me is that I have a choice, I can confront suffering, essentially solve it, personally speaking. I choose my reaction.
Easier said than done, and that’s the work!
In the case of a crave I can replace it (with something healthy) or find a substitute, like water, or even just, and even more “Buddhist,” simply observe the crave/suffering, “Oh, I’m salivating and thinking about a big fat juicy burger because I just passed FatBoys and smelled meat on the grill and fryolator goodness.” Just observe it as objectively as possible.
In the instance of a cleanse crave it’s more like “OH MY!!” and one hand is trying to turn the wheel while one foot is attempting to apply the brake.
The hand and foot of impulse, the immediate response to suffering, FIX IT, annul the pain, stop it, I’m weak, flawed, this is torture, AHHHHH, save me from myself………
Does our culture encourage observing this phenomena, invite you not to simply put out the petty fire that sprang up? Quite the opposite, and the economy is counting on it.
Oddly, when I step back, observe those feelings, thoughts, even exert a modicum of resistance, fail to cave, rise to conquer it, next thing I know, poof. The moment has passed.
Then I drive by the Thai restaurant and it starts all over again when I smell something I want. That’s the work, and after a work week full of these moments, the momentum of impulse, the temptation to cave is lessened, replaced something so much more sustainable, healthy, peaceful.
Oh it’s hard, in the way meditation is. Pit yourself against yourself, who’s up for that challenge?
I’m ALL in, to help create balance. I’ll eat a burger, Thai, a variety of things again, but with a renewed appreciation, even awe.
For now it’s a cup of matte, and watching the wind tussle the catkins on the birch between me and the ocean, observing, savoring the shift of seasons both internal and external
