Jalaluddin Rumi, the famous Sufi Persian philosopher who lived 1207-1273 had a beautiful quote most of us find very familiar:
Out beyond ideas of right-doing and wrong-doing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there. ~ Rumi
When I was a young woman, my ideas about food, eating, exercising and being in a body which needed to eat were filled with ideas about right-doing and wrong-doing.
I’m not sure there was one single neutral stand in the entire process of living my life within these confounds. Everything was labeled “good” or “bad”.
Driving around hunting for sweet sugary foods obsessively? Wrong. Evil. Bad.
If anyone saw me…shame and embarrassment forever.
Running 5 miles in the morning at dawn, followed by herbal tea and all raw food? Right. Holy. Good.
I could list for you, at the time, the tick marks I’d give each and every food in the world that was “bad” along with all the foods that were good.
Being quite full was also bad, and starving or feeling empty was good.
I never stopped to question any of these rules and regulations. All I tried to do was conform, and follow them.
Until I began to explore more deeply what my condition might mean, what my behavior might be longing for, or saying to me.
I tried an experiment you’ll find very surprising, that changed my entire approach to the Good/Bad wars of food. I “allowed” myself to eat something I previously considered “evil”.
It helped me go beyond the battle, and step into the field that Rumi spoke of so long ago….someplace peaceful, clear and joyful, without debate.
Letting everything be the way it is.
I tell you all about it here:
Much love,
Grace