Meditation Techniques: Practicing Appreciation
My favorite and most frequent way of showing appreciation is during meals. At every meal, I take a moment to reflect on the food that I are about to eat as well as the state of mind that I am in. Whatever is going through the mind at that moment disappears and all that is left is the thought and feeling of appreciation. A slow, deep breath combined with a deep sense of gratitude for the meal goes a long way to restoring peace of mind. As I catch my thoughts drifting, I can make a conscious effort to bring them back to the meal at hand. When I do this, I find myself appreciating the food more and as a result my enjoyment, taste, and overall experience of the meal are dramatically enhanced. It also encourages me to feel compassion for all the people in the world who do not have such wonderful food. They may have only eaten once this day, or maybe not at all. With but a wave of the appreciation wand, this change in perspective can turn even the most simple and meager meal into a feast. Routines such as, eating, waking up, going to sleep, brushing teeth, or going to the bathroom, and the many other activities that are commonly performed throughout the day are perfect for this type of practice. I have found that by practicing this daily, I have created a permanent shift in my attitude and perspective on daily routines, re-invigorating and enlightening the mundane.
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