Drink warm drinks
Avicenna also known as Ibn Sina
Persian physician and mystic 980 to 1037
He taught that digestion depends on warmth, and softening
Cold constricts and slows transformation
Warm drinks cooperate with the body
Why do most traditions pray prior to eating
Before eating
Attention is subtle and inward - present
During eating:
Attention collapses into sensation pleasure urgency
Prayer is a bridge so awareness did not fully fall into instinct
Take a pause prior to eating
Daily lesson from ancient mystic
Zhuang Zhou 莊周 369 BCE - 286 BCE
Freedom comes from releasing fixed identity:
The self is a fluid process
Rigidity creates suffering
Playfulness reveals truth
Inner practice
Drop labels
Move fluidly
Respond instead of plan
Esoteric test of mindfulness:
When you get home and need to use the bathroom, walk super slow going up the stairs, putting your key in the slot, opening your door, etc
You can stop yourself from “needing” to use the bathroom just my breathing and presence