Weakness and disturbances of the body can interfere with meditation practice. The Buddhist approach to food involves eating mindfully, not overindulging or becoming malnourished, and being aware of one’s relationship to the food and its sources. Food can be a focus of meditation. Some Buddhists are strictly vegetarian, while others eat meat, and both can justify their positions using Buddhist teachings.

The Satipatthana Sutra and its commentary provide practical guidance on mindful consumption, some of which is relevant to our modern lives, from setting intention, appreciating the source, having awareness of the sensations, cleaning up, and feeling gratitude. It also explains how mindfulness training helps us see the true empty nature of all things.

Mattanuta is a Buddhist concept that means “knowing the right amount.” It’s a quality that helps people achieve a healthy balance in life by understanding that there is an optimal amount of material and nonmaterial things needed to achieve goals. It also involves being able to assess what is enough and when to stop being over-demanding on oneself, others, or the environment. Moderation can be applied to eating, drinking, consuming media, making purchases, etc. It relates to the precept of not taking intoxicants but can be extended to other topics.

We must nourish ourselves in order to remain healthy and be of benefit in the world. There are countless causes, conditions, and beings who help us get what we need to nourish ourselves. Our choices about food affect much more than just our body, and consumption is an opportunity for mind training practice.

Reflect on how their meditative practice is affected by consuming and digesting food and drink.

• What are some of the causes and conditions we rely upon for the food we eat?
• What are some of the consequences of our choices related to food, including packaging, agricultural practices, local versus imported, and vegetarian versus omnivore.?

Analyze the food cycle, differentiating its causes, conditions, and effects. Evaluate how elements from the outer environment transform into the body’s inner elements through eating and drinking. Guide others in a practice of mindful consumption.