Eating without Scarfing

So often we eat so quickly, scarfing down our meal, without taking even a moment to enjoy or contemplate what we are doing. At the Institute for Jewish Spirituality retreats, we enjoy 2 silent meals a day, during which we sit in silence with just our thoughts and our food for company. Each meal, we set an intention for the dining experience. Sometimes it is just to put the fork down between each bite. Sometimes it is to offer a "thank you" or a "recognition of a blessing" before each bite. Sometimes it is to "taste" the food. One of my favorite pre-eating meditations is:

As we make ready to eat this foodWe remember with gratitudeThe people, animals, plants, insects,Creatures of the sky and seaAir and water, fire and earthAll turning in the wheel of living and dyingWhose joyful exertionNot separate from oursProvides our sustenance this day.May we with the blessing of this foodJoin our heartsTo the one heart of the worldIn awareness and loveAnd may we together with everyoneRealize the path of awakeningAnd never stop making effortFor the benefit of others. (Norman Fisher)