The Secret to Optimal Nourishment of Body, Mind, and Spirit

“Never eat with people you don’t like because your state of awareness will influence how your food is metabolized.” This is what Deepak Chopra said in a 1993 interview with Oprah Winfrey. He talked about a study that was done where rabbits were fed a diet that was extremely high in cholesterol. The researchers were amazed and puzzled to find that one group of rabbits never got high cholesterol levels. They discovered that the technician who was feeding that group of rabbits would pet, cuddle, and talk sweetly to them, and because of that, their bodies metabolized the cholesterol in a healthy way. Deepak concluded, “Your state of mind can convert nectar into poison and poison into nectar.”

When I heard that, I felt concerned, and at the same time, I felt relieved. Concerned because since my cancer diagnosis three years ago I’ve been very careful with my diet, however, slowly, sugar has been creeping back in. I’m aware that sugar fuels cancer, and sometimes when I’m about to bite into a sweet treat, I wonder, “Is this REALLY to die for?” Now, after hearing what Deepak said, I realize that whatever I’m eating, if I eat it with fear and worry and negative feelings, that makes it even more toxic to my body.

On the other hand, I’m relieved to know that if I change my relationship to food, if I align with it, savor it’s deliciousness, imagine that it’s nourishing me, and feel good about it, that will help convert poison into nectar. That’s not to say that I’m going to start pigging out on sweets. I still plan to keep sugar to a minimum. But I’ve been so afraid of ‘killer’ sweets, that I’ve even feared fruits, especially bananas. Now, I will love the banana (or raw honey, or any other natural sweet that I’m eating) and thank it for its nourishment and sweet yumminess.

It makes sense to me that when I approach food, people, situations in my life, and especially myself with a peaceful, friendly attitude, just like the rabbits in the cholesterol study, life is metabolized in a healthier way. What I resist persists, and what I align with, I’m fine with. When I’m in harmony, I minimize the harm in me. Therefore, the secret to optimal nourishment of body, mind, and spirit is to come into harmony with whatever is.

I can see why saying grace before a meal helps prepare our bodies to best metabolize food and optimize its healing benefits. I intend to bring grace to my meals from now on, focusing on gratitude for the food, for the good people I’m eating with, for myself for choosing good food and good people, thankful for the nourishment, seeing my cells and organs thriving and jiving, blissed out and blessed.

How about you? Are you mindful of your mood when you eat your food? Do you have an attitude of gratitude for the people and situations in your life? Remember, “Your state of mind can convert nectar into poison and poison into nectar.”