Wholeness And Eating According To Kabbalah

According to Kabbalah, in order to experience wholeness, the body needs to be cared for as much as the mind and soul. It is after all, the physical receptacle, which contains mind and soul. Without the body, there would be no sanctuary for God to dwell in. You have to remember that this vehicle is very vulnerable, and can be afflicted by a variety of illnesses and diseases. The way we eat, how we eat and why we eat can cause the greatest harm (or good) to the body. Proper eating is a theme that occupies much of Kabbalistic literature. Even the word "Kosher," in the Bible means to eat what benefits your body. The Biblical prohibition against eating pork and certain other types of food was designed to protect the body from disease. By eating healthy - and by this I mean anything in moderation and care - we can promote wholeness. It takes more energy for the body to digest food than almost anything else it does. If you are an excessive eater, you are not only slowing down your metabolism, but also inhibiting your spirit perception. You are also inhibiting your spirit perception if you don't eat enough food - moderation is key! A spiritual person in general, watches what goes into his/her body and realizes that too much of a good thing is not so good after all. When we overburden the digestive system we are looking for trouble. How many of you eat while standing up, or rush through a meal? Where are you rushing too? Is something burning? What you put into your body affects your future, and your future not only affects your friends and family, but your relationship to the Creator as well. You should pay attention to what you put in your body, and also pay attention to your state of mind while you are doing so. Most of the time we gossip when we eat. Each time we do that we take in some poison. Little by little that poison emerges as some form of sickness. So be careful what you talk about over a meal. Better yet, try not to talk at all and concentrate on the sheer joy of eating. You don't have to be a student of Kabbalah to know that regular physical exercise, breathing exercises, restful sleep, and relaxation are all very important for the health of the body and spirit. A body that is fed food that honors life, that is well rested, and that is giving enough exercise is one that will respond with good health and well being. It is also best to eat in meditative silence once in a while, even though it's a tough thing to do in our culture of constant stimulation and communications. Such silence can actually be an active, feeling and tender form of communication. In Kabbalah we often say, "Those who know do not speak, and those who speak do not know." Of course it's your choice whether you wish to engage in this practice or not. But you should at least be aware that digestion is vastly improved when you are quietly concentrating on the taste and texture of the meal before you. One of the greatest wrongs we commit against our body is discussing mundane matters - or even reading or watching TV - while we eat. These are all distractions that separate us from the sacredness of this moment. Start slowly, dedicate two meals a week to silent meditation or a conversation that focuses on some spiritual matter (such as the joy of life), and you will see a big change in the way you feel, look and act. Another thing to keep in mind is that when food arrives at your table, you are now receiving G-d's blessings. He/She somehow made this food possible. At this moment it's up to you to sanctify it. Contemplate the food that you are eating. Meditate on The One who created it. Pray over it before you eat. these are all gestures of gratitude and should be dine before and after eating. By doing all that, you are also promoting harmony within yourself - a balance of body, mind and soul. Contemplation and or prayer establishes a grateful attitude and this positive frame of mind can lead to better digestion and improved health.

Reference: about-world-religions.blogspot.com