Metta or lovingkindness is woven into the fabric of eastern traditions. It encompasses compassion, sympathetic joy (taking happiness in other people’s joy), and equanimity (or wisdom).

In contrast, in the west, the more typical practice is self-criticism, aversion, grasping and delusion. No wonder we have a problem with obesity?

The way to develop lovingkindness is through becoming more mindful. Mindfulness is the quality of awareness of what’s going on around us without distraction.

When we haven’t developed metta and mindfulness, we tend to make unwise decisions, which causes us to plant seeds of poison.

So, what can this lack of metta or lovingkindness look like in relation to food?

The craving arises and the object of the craving, let’s take Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, looks all good to us. In our tunnel vision, our senses are obscured so we may not consider the whole picture: in this case, the next day we could feel lousy and perhaps wake up with a few extra pounds. 

We also may rationalize by saying, “if I could only eat this Ben and Jerry’s ice cream, everything will be OK.” 

One of the principles of the JOOS Cleanse is to develop mindfulness in the way we eat with the hopes that it transfers to other areas of our life.

What ways do you show yourself lovingkindness through your daily habits?