Savoring Activity

Part 1:

With your chocolate, dried fruit, or cheese in your hand, close your eyes and take three deep, cleansing breaths. Quiet your mind. Run your thumb and forefinger across the food’s surface. Notice the texture. Is it smooth, rough, bumpy, dry, or moist? Continue to keep your eyes closed. Bring the food to your nose and inhale deeply. Fully take in the scent of the small piece of food in your hand. Now, take a very small bite. Let it sit in your mouth on your tongue. Slowly press it to the roof of your mouth and let it melt. As your food piece is melting on your tongue, take in another breath, aerating your palate as you take another breath from the back of your throat. Now, as you slowly eat the rest of your morsel, recognize the life in your body as you benefit from the food bit. Slowly continue to breathe into your mouth, and chew on the breath to give yourself a lingering sense of the experience. Take one last moment to relax and enjoy the savoring experience. Now, slowly let your eyes flutter open, taking one last deep breath and smile.

What was this savoring experience like for you?  How was it different from the way you usually eat something like this?  What do you think was the purpose of this activity and what is the most valuable lesson you learned from it?