Peace through food?
Why, yes, indeed.
The PeaceMeal Project explores the intersections & connections between sustainability, eating mindfully, how food is grown & distributed, creating a more peaceful planet. Visit PeaceMeal Project for info re their online course Cultivating Peace Through Food. It started last week, & I am a week behind, but no doubt they will convene it again. For it’s a fascinating idea, don’t you think……. world peace through our relationship with food?
Growing food, eating, & other food issues cross all boundaries & barriers — age, ethnicity, belief systems, place. Eating is something that all of us do, & must continue to do. Food & eating is one of the few things that literally affects every living being. (The other is death, which makes for a very nice counterpoint, I think:)
I shall be posting about what I learn & experience as I go through this course. Lesson 1, among other things, included The Five Contemplations, 
which I’ve posted about before. But they bear repeating: Being grateful for our food, considering how it came to be in our meal, why we eat it, are issues that speak right to how we choose to live & to be.
One version of The Five Contemplations:
First, seventy-two labors brought us this food;
We should know how it comes to us.
Second, as we receive this offering,
We should consider whether our virtue and practice deserve it.
Third, as we desire the natural order of mind to be free from clinging,
We must be free from greed.
Fourth, to support our life we take this food.
Fifth, to attain our way we take this food.
First, seventy-two labors brought us this food;
We should know how it comes to us.
Second, as we receive this offering,
We should consider whether our virtue and practice deserve it.
Third, as we desire the natural order of mind to be free from clinging,
We must be free from greed.
Fourth, to support our life we take this food.
Fifth, to attain our way we take this food.
First, this food is for the Three Treasures.
Second it is for our teachers, parents, nation, and all sentient beings.
Third, it is for all beings of the six worlds.
Thus, we eat this food with everyone.
We eat to stop all evil, to practice good, to free all sentient beings, and to
accomplish our Buddha Way.
Here are a couple of links to pursue, if issues relating to food & peace are of interest to you:
www.peacemealproject.com A WordPress blog
www.slowfood.com A non-profit, eco-gastronomic member-supported organization that was founded in 1989 to counteract fast food and fast life
www.nationalpeaceacademy.us A home for peace professional & community organizers looking to hone their practice.
Related articles
- Mealtime, for the mindful #3: The Five Contemplations (mindmindful.wordpress.com)
- Pass the Peace Please (deepercravings.com)
- Ten Mindful Eating Tips (mindmindful.wordpress.com)
- Slow food in Wales: Organic and locally produced food in Wales, Food (visitwales.co.uk)
With about 7 billion people on planet Earth right now, natural resources are being strained. In the future, conflicts may arise over food and clean water, as opposed to gold or oil. It’s a frightening, but very real possibility.
Agreed. Scary…………. I think if people begin to grow more of their own food, it will alleviate some of that.
I love this, and the peace it brings.
I do too. Such potential, I think
Makes me hungry! I bought a bag of oranges from South Africa the other day (I live in Virginia). Now I know and am sure they can grow excellent oranges just like anyone else can, when it’s outside the commercial food biz. I mean those oranges had to go through an awful lot to reach me no doubt.
I know……. global food distribution is an awesome thing, on the one hand, & a troublesome thing at the same time. I have a picture of bright oranges in my head now:)
your write ups are very informative, joyful. thank you dear for keeping us alert:)
Thank you! I love the connections blogging is creating in my life — passing on info that enriches me seems like the least I can do:)
Deep, deep feeding of peace here!