The Heart of Hunger
During any nutritional change one is always drawn to the heart of hunger, the root of appetite. As someone commits and embarks on a new diet, there are moments of clarity when one realizes her propensity to certain foods and the momentary gains from eating them. Making any changes in our life are useful in that they can highlight places of unawareness where we have grown numb or fallen asleep to the reasons behind our actions. Food and exercise are only two of the many means by which we can create change in our lives and wake up. I recently talked with a friend about fasting and reminded her that the purpose of a fast is to give ourselves a break and that we could do that with anything, not just food. We could fast from using our smartphones, watching TV, bingeing on Netflix, thinking negative thoughts, using unloving language towards ourselves and others, etc. No matter what we change, or fast from, we are sure to uncover the heart of hunger, facing the true seed of our yearning.
It is key to be present to what we are taking in throughout the day, from food to pop-ups on the Internet to billboards and signs along the side of the road. We live in a time when we are constantly taking in icons, messages, and meanings. We are taking in so much that it is often tough to distinguish between what is an original thought from what was prompted by what we just saw or heard. Thus, taking a break from one simple thing in life can be enough to put a cog in the system, giving us the pause we need to reflect and hear our own inner wisdom.
On the Whole30, well into Week 3, I have still noticed small cravings and bouts of hunger but I have come to realize that it is actually not for food. There is no need for my body, mind, and attention to be starved for anything, as there is plenty for it to choose from, however, it has come to my awareness that there lies this insatiable hunger within that is asking for something that is not of this world because nothing of this world could satiate it. Yet, if I feed this hunger correctly, it has every power to satisfy me and fulfill me in this world. I have had to be honest with myself that no amount of food or TV or sleep could ever be enough to feed the tricks that the ego and my stomach were playing on me. The ego wants more, more, and more, but in an unhealthy way, and it has been the teacher to my stomach. When I sit with that and feel beyond it, I can feel a deeper yearning that is asking for my attention and love. It is the real root, the heart of hunger.
It can feel defeating to realize that nothing of this world could ever satisfy what we are truly searching for, from political policy to our plates. This past weekend, Saturday Night Live had a politically satire skit with host Jessica Chastain portraying game show host Veronica Elders called, “What Even Matters Anymore?” In the skit, she reviews various political hot topics, wondering if the outcome, even the truth, really mattered anymore? Of course with all scenarios, nothing really mattered, leading Jessica Chastain into a spin, downing wine, and eventually breaking character. Brilliantly, the SNL players broke through the fourth wall, with one following suit behind Jessica and the others taking a more optimistic approach to the game’s central theme. As the skit came to a close, Jessica merely admitted she really needed a hug. It was great comedy laced with the simple truth that sometimes we all just need a little love. When things appear grim and unsatisfying, love is all we need.
The depth of our hunger runs deep, leaving a void that has been asking for our attention. It has been asking to be fed; yet most likely, we have been feeding it all the wrong things. We have been looking “for love in all the wrong places.” The hunger beyond that of the stomach is not asking for food. It is not asking for more sugar or more alcohol or drugs or sex or television. It is asking for us to stop all of that and to just listen. To just pay attention to the basics: love, safety, presence and breath.
No matter what change we are embarking on and no matter the reasons, the heart of our hunger, the search, is pointing us all in the same direction, towards that which is bigger than the body and the mind. Today, before you feed your hunger pains, ask yourself, “What am I truly hungry for?” You may end up feeding yourself the “usual” but just that moment’s pause in asking such a question can feed that part of you that is at the heart of hunger. Namaste.