Happy 4th of July to all who celebrate!
Every year, I think about the inner freedom America’s Founding Fathers displayed when they envisioned a new form of government built on the ideals of liberty and equality. They first threw off the shackles of tyranny in their own minds so their creative spirit could imagine a better way forward.
The conditions of political freedom were not prerequisites for their flourishing. In fact, it was their suffering from subjugation that led to their spiritual revolution. In their footsteps, may we each use our life and liberty to pursue happiness not just for ourselves, but for the world.
Free your mind — the world will follow.
I hope everyone had a wonderful 4th of July weekend filled with friends, family, and lots of good food.
Speaking of food, it occurred to me that a lot of us are letting a huge opportunity go to waste every single day. With most of us eating 3 meals a day, we are blessed with 3 chances to connect deeply with the Earth, the present moment, and ourselves. But we mostly let these opportunities pass us by.
Every meal can be a meditation. You may think you don’t have time to meditate, but we all eat. It’s simply a matter of paying attention.
In deep presence as you eat your food, you will observe not just the subtlety of taste and smell and texture, but you will sense the nourishment and how it becomes you. You will notice what your body needs and respond to it with conscious choices. You will savor the last bite as much as the first.
All we have to do is pay close attention. Be with every bite. Feel every particle of food in your mouth. Stay with the smell. Feel the jaw and the teeth and the sensations of swallowing. Notice the mental reactions, whether they are craving and excited, distracted and unfocused, or calm and peaceful. And lovingly practice making your mind focused and calm.
Sense all the hard work that went into bringing you your food, from the chef to the farmers, the drivers and the store clerks, the bees and the worms, to the sun and the rain. Watch the gratitude that naturally arises within you. And feel the connection taking place — the sense of oneness — between you, the Earth and the cosmos.
The more you practice eating mindfully, the more everything you do in life becomes awakened with mindfulness. You don’t have to meditate 3 times a day, but it’s easier than you’d think.
Much love,
Todd
P.S. Here are a few other topics that I covered this week:
- How to Stop Living Life on Autopilot (Watch Here)
2. How to Make That Decision You’ve Been Dreading (Listen Here)
