The Cosmos in a Carrot: A Zen Guide to Eating Well
By Carmen Yuen
OK, so I had started my 112th fad diet of this year (thank goodness it’s December, so my count can begin anew with the new year), and then comes this lovely book to put all my eating anxieties to rest. ‘The Cosmos of a Carrot’ tells us that it isn’t so important what we eat, as how we eat it! How much more simply put, can anything be? And yet, so incredibly true.
Carmen Yuen’s advice begins with ‘mindfulness’, in all aspects of our meals. I loved her explanation of the Buddhist practice of ‘The Five Contemplations’:
1) Think of where the food comes from. Consider nature, farmers, retailers, etc. All the hands that have touched this food in love, so that it may nurture you.
2) This food is a gift. What are you doing to be worthy of it?
3) Take only what you need, don’t be greedy.
4) Food is healing, treat it as medicinal. Eat to take care of your body.
5) All beings need food. Be healthy, so that you can work on self enlightenment.
There are several mindfulness trainings throughout the book, as well as helpful guidelines for healthy consumption of foods. I particularly appreciated the chapters on weight loss & fad diets. Mea culpa! I truly will take this to heart.
I found the entire book to be calming and educational. And I am more prepared to treat mealtime as a meditation, being ever mindful of the gifts we so often take for granted.
Thank you Ms Yuen, for a book well written & so very timely in our fast-food-nation. (It’s hard to believe that you are only 22 yrs old)
More can be read about this talented author on her website: www.carmenyuen.com
This book can be ordered online through Parallax press; www.parallax.org or through other bookseller venues.
Feast on this spiritual book!
Happy Reading!
Rev Dr Sandra Gaskin