did meditation have an influence on your diet?

Meditators,

at the age of 5 I decided to become a vegetarian and I drove my mother insane – I made her use different pots and pans for my food

. Then with 18 I started eating organic meat and was really interested in nutrition (not so much from a health perspective but more basic / holistic); eventually I even did the exams for a hunting license (which in Bavaria means a lot of studying for 12 months).

However, 6 months after I started meditation, I became a vegetarian again and a couple of months later a vegan. Furthermore, I stopped any drugs, including coffee and alcohol. Even though, during my morning meditation, I felt the effects of even one bottle of beer the night before, I am not sure whether this dietary change is an effect of meditation or connected to my overall change of lifestyle. I am curious, whether you had similar dietary changes.

Stay mindful,

Category: Meditation Questions posted November 20, 2011

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markus

8 Answers

Mamadel I think he asked if others also experienced that their overall life changed due to meditation or if meditation has lead you to change your diet / become vegan or vegetarian.

Personally for me meditation has changed my whole outlook on life. It helped me to be more open minded which again helped me to try out more things and one of those things was to become vegetarian.

After some time I realized I do not need meat at all to feel good after a meal and I was also amazed that many vegetarian dishes taste very well! :)

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Jay

323

Thanks Jay, that is right, I was interest in finding out whether meditation influenced your diet. To further clarify: When I started meditation, I consumed alcohol moderately (that was the one bottle of beer in my initial question). I think I did not like to feel the effects in my morning meditation the next day, and so I stopped altogether.

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markus

Hi markus

Underneath your question/experience is a huge discussion on the potentional of mindfulness helping people to make healthier diet choices. Also, from my personal experience, the Buddhist 5th Precept is really supporting my struggles and if there was a "5th Precept buddy" programme, I would join up!!

Peace!

Kris

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Kristina Hurley

128

This is not an answer nor did you post a question. You mentioned that you stopped doing drugs and alcohol and gave up caffine, but said you felt the effects of a bottle of beer? Confused.... But unrelated to meditation, I have been doing my best to eat healthier, no chemicals, less sugar, no soda. I do drink a little wine in moderation. I stopped smoking when I retired. I am trying very hard to learn meditation and mindfulness. It has brought me a lot of peace of mind. I need all the help I can get. There is not a community in my area to call on for guidance, so I am looking for it on line.

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mamadel

110

To Kris,

I believe the 5th precept you refer to is the "Mindfulness of Eating, Drinking and Consuming?"

That is what it is according to Thich Nat Hanh's teaching. He also includes what we consume through our other 4 perceptions (food and drink is related to taste perception) by way of TV, Movies, Magazines and can also now include whatever we find on the internet.

To everyone else, I think the motivation to abstain from eating and drinking and consuming comes from the desire to be free from suffering for ourselves and others around us and then to all sentient beings.

Kris, we could start a Mindfulness of Eating, Drinking and Consuming group on this site.

Patrick

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Patrick

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Hi Patrick

I've not really read alot of TNH's except, "Peace is Every Step." !!!! I will look into the teachings you mention - so keep mentioning them! It was just the basics of 'refrain from taking intoxicants' and the non-judgemental self-care aspect of this. I'm not sure how groups work here - I'm happy just to contribute to Jay's format but would join in if you went ahead with a group.

Kris

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Kristina Hurley

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Hi Kristina,

That's cool. I can recommend "Old Path, White Clouds" for his biography of the Buddha's life...very good and "The Heart of the Buddha's Teaching" and in there is TNH's 5 precepts..there is a lot in there.

Peace,

Patrick

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Patrick

118

Friends I set back and read, just amazed at how meditation has made a major impact on our lives. I'm a recovering drug addict that used meditation, The Buddha Path, and zen studies to free my mind from addiction. I would truly be honored if you all would read my story and give me your feedback and help on a prospective book I/we may write.

Michael Shane Griffin

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