Pictured here is my "Four Pepper Stuffed Pepper;" a meal I created for my new vegan path [with Jicama and homemade Salsa Verde on a slice of Mom-grown Cherokee Purple tomato]. I got started watching a fascinating movie called “Forks Over Knives.” Then, at the end of July, through the Center for Good Health(CfGH), I started working with a Wellness Coach, also the presenter at the seminar where I saw the movie. The coach helped me immensely just by the simple human trick of listening while I committed to this new path, and helping me keep track, in subsequent sessions, if I was actually doing what I set out to do. Alas, for any of you, Coach is soon to be moving on to a new gig. She will be missed. However, I understand she will still do consulting and coaching on the side.
This morning, I had my last coaching meeting of these first three. As we spoke about my progress and how I
was going to maintain this new regimen, I offered that it seemed easy. It was just enough discipline to make some choices easier, and
other choices just not necessary. At work, I often travel the floors of the hospital.
There is the excellent cafeteria, the vending machines and the ubiquitous
carry-ins. There is never want for snacky stuff, rich food, pizza, burgers, chips,
etc. These temptations don't get to me like they once did. I don't feel tempted to
cheat or bend my rules. Whether it's chips and salsa, rice crispy
treats, donuts, cake, or whatever, I can walk by without a flinch and think:
“Meh, not on my list.” I don't feel deprived, I am just not interested. This little bit of extra discipline has
actually made my life easier rather than harder.
I expressed that though veganism is not a religious necessity of my Buddhist practice, it is religiously comfortable. It seems like a more compassionate choice, even a more sharing choice, though I don't proselytize in this way. Coach Sara proposed that this "freedom in discipline" about food choices was rather like Buddhism in general - freedom within the discipline of a practice. BAM! What a surprising, and unexpected, teaching! A rich understanding out of the blue. Right there, 8:30 am, I was blessed with a nutritional supplement for my Buddhism. Talk about food for the . . . um . . . buddha-nature.
I expressed that though veganism is not a religious necessity of my Buddhist practice, it is religiously comfortable. It seems like a more compassionate choice, even a more sharing choice, though I don't proselytize in this way. Coach Sara proposed that this "freedom in discipline" about food choices was rather like Buddhism in general - freedom within the discipline of a practice. BAM! What a surprising, and unexpected, teaching! A rich understanding out of the blue. Right there, 8:30 am, I was blessed with a nutritional supplement for my Buddhism. Talk about food for the . . . um . . . buddha-nature.
If we aren't open to being taught, especially in an unexpected way, or at an unexpected venue, we can never learn.
===
Image: mine
Salsa Verde: Mom-made from her own-grown tomatillos and own-grown peppers.
Cherokee Purple: from Mom's burgeoning Little Shop of Horrors super garden.
===
Image: mine
Salsa Verde: Mom-made from her own-grown tomatillos and own-grown peppers.
Cherokee Purple: from Mom's burgeoning Little Shop of Horrors super garden.
No comments:
Post a Comment