mindful loving

i slip a grape into my mouth, a single seedless red grape, still wet from being washed in the sink, still warm from the fruit basket. the grape is firm and round. and smooth, too, this grape is incredibly slippery and smooth, a wonderful, incredible fruit.

not biting it, careful to roll it slowly in my mouth, i hold the grape on my tongue as long as possible.

ever so gently, without crushing it, i pierce the grape's skin with my teeth and taste its sudden sweetness. i love its crispness, its fullness and its firmness. opening it further, i pull the grape's juices to pour onto my tongue and fill my mouth. there is nought but me and this grape, nothing else to think or feel or be. the world is me and the grape. only when i have fully experienced the grape do i allow its being swallowed.

this has become a practice for me, a practice in mindful eating. how many times in my life have i grabbed a handful of grapes (or a handful of anything) and swallowed them with little notice, with little experiencing what i ate. and how much less often did i experience individually the grapes in that handful, never recognizing the treasure of each one. when i began mindful practice, with grapes or almonds or other foods, i tried to keep the food in my mouth as long as possible before biting or swallowing it and discovered it to be a surprising challenge. i would forget for just an instant and swallow the food without thinking (noticing). i would have to begin again and again. i have discovered great joy in being with each bite.

life is to be lived like this, lived with being aware and present with each taste, with each experience.

love is to be experienced like this as well. every moment, every touch, every taste is to be enjoyed and savored slowly and lovingly, to be held and absorbed fully and deeply.

it is the best way to live

it is the only way to experience another.