Eating or Drinking - Become the Taste
गीतादिविषयास्वादसमसौख्यैकतात्मनः । योगिनस्तन्मयत्वेन मनोरूढेस्तदात्मता ॥
geetadivishayasvaadasamasaukhyaikataamtamanah | yoginastanmayatvena manorudhestadaatmataa ||
VBT Verse 75
The Sutra
"When eating or drinking, become the taste of food or drink, and be filled."
Paul Reps translation, Zen Flesh, Zen Bones (1957)
Understanding
When you eat, do not just eat. Become the taste itself. When you drink, become the act of tasting. Let the boundary between taster and taste dissolve. This transforms the most ordinary daily act into meditation. Every meal becomes a sacred ritual. You are not eating the food - you are becoming one with it. This is tantra applied to the simplest pleasure.
Original Sanskrit
गीतादिविषयास्वादसमसौख्यैकतात्मनः । योगिनस्तन्मयत्वेन मनोरूढेस्तदात्मता ॥
geetadivishayasvaadasamasaukhyaikataamtamanah | yoginastanmayatvena manorudhestadaatmataa ||
Vijnanabhairava Verse 75 (Technique 52 of 112)
How to Practice
At your next meal, slow down completely. Put away all distractions.
Take the first bite and close your eyes. Let the taste fill your entire awareness.
Do not think "this is sweet" or "this is salty." Be beyond labels. Just TASTE.
Let the boundary between you and the taste dissolve. You are not eating - you ARE the tasting.
Be filled - not just with food, but with the awareness of taste itself.
Practice this with every meal. Even water becomes extraordinary when tasted with total presence.
Duration
Duration of the meal
Best Time
Every meal
Related Techniques
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