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Welcome to Endlessly Organic's first Newsletter. Thank you for your support. Families all over South Florida are now changing their lives to reflect a new healthier attitude. As we embrace this lifestyle, let's keep spreading the word. Of course, as always, we love hearing your feedback, so please continue to contact us with your suggestions and ideas. For those of you who picked up your food this week, enjoy!
In Health and Happiness,
Arden and Cheryl
Co-Founders, Endlessly Organic
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Are you
interested in slowing down but have a hard time finding ways to do that?
Well, Pema Chodron, a master meditation teacher offers a simple yet
profound practice that has the ability to slow us down. Pemas teachings
come from the lineage of the Tibetan teacher Chogyam
Trungpa Rinpoche, founder of Naropa University in Boulder Colorado. The
practice is called the Three Bite Practice. This practice offers
three ways to gather virtue, and slowing down in and of itself could be
considered a virtue. It is traditionally done at the beginning of a
meal, during the first three bites. However, if you find that you forget
to do the practice when you first begin your meal, then it is perfectly
fine to start wherever you are.
The instruction for the first
bite is to think of a teacher, one or many, who affected you
positively. Offer this first bite to them. Take a breath and notice what
bringing your teacher into your mind's eye reveals. What do you feel?
What gifts did they bestow upon you? By doing this you are conjuring
their wisdom and openheartedness they offered you, and their awakened
mind. This in turn helps you resonate with who they are. Then, the
possibility of veneration and respect for them is awakened in you.
The second bite is offered to someone who
was kind to you. Whether it was just one person or a group of people,
bring into your awareness the kindness you received from them. Take a
moment to remember what that feels like. By doing this you are awakening
appreciation, tenderness and gratitude. How often do kind simple acts
go unnoticed because we can not find a way to slow down and take them in? Here is your opportunity.
The third bite is offered out to anyone and
everyone who is starving, suffering, or in trouble in some way. Take a
breath and pause. By opening to someone's suffering you tap into your
inherent reservoir of compassion and empathy. This can open your heart
and mind out from the confines of the mundane. This kind of mindfulness
sends ripples out beyond your microcosm and into the greater community. A much needed practice.
By doing the Three Bite Practice, you are
taking the everyday ritual of eating, and in just a few short minutes
moving slower and connecting into an expanded awareness. By slowing down
and adding this kind of mindfulness and contemplation to the first
three bites of your meal, a meaningful transformation for you is
possible. Have your partner try it with you and include kids in this practice as well. Dig in, slow down and see what happens.
By Nikki L. Exelbert M.A.
Transpersonal Counseling Psychology Graduate, Naropa University
Mindfulness/Awareness Meditation Practitioner
If you have questions
and would like to contact Nikki to learn more about Meditation, Yoga,
Breath work and other Contemplative practices she offers,
Please call 303-906-5271 or email Nikki at nexelbert@gmail.com |