Fruit, A Lesson On Self-Mastery

Today is day 12 of my one-month fruit detox, i.e. only eating raw fresh fruit, and I thought I’d share an update. The first 10 days consisted of eating citrus only, and for the past two days, I’ve been incorporating other seasonal fruits. What a treat and delight it’s been.

Over these 12 days I’ve come to realise this journey of only eating fruit to be another lesson on self-mastery; mastery of thought, feeling and will (body). While there has been some discomfort and getting used to, overall, the experience thus far has been pretty mild, much better than I expected. At the same time, I also recognise that I already have been on a plant-based diet for almost years, have pretty good health and have cultivated a degree of mastery in my thinking, feeling and willing. Yet, there are always deeper layers, nuances and subtleties to expand into. Let’s look at a few examples of what this looks like.

Thinking:

This requires intentionality and mindfulness of thought. Noticing where I allow my mind to wander and where I direct my focus and then discerning whether or not it’s serving me and my objective. I.e. when I come across a visual of highly processed fatty/sugary foods, do I entertain, follow and energise that thought and the associated visuals or do I interrupt it with a thought that serves me and my mission at hand?

Feeling:

Here I’m talking about all the feelings and emotions that arise within me as I move through life in general as well as those arising as a direct result of this fruit detox, particularly the uncomfortable ones, and the associated impulses to distract and numb myself from them through those highly processed fatty/sugary “comfort foods”. Without the distraction and numbing effects of these foods, the feelings and emotions are clearer and more present.

Do I find other ways to distract myself? Do I assign unhelpful meaning and stories to these feelings and start doubting and/or criticising myself and my goal, even abandoning it altogether? Or do I slow down and listen, embrace them, accept them and inquire what needs of mine they are directing my attention toward? And then make specific and doable requests to nourish and reassure those needs and parts of me?

Will (and Body):

This is a new experience (i.e. change) for me and my body, and as such there will be a response, and reaction, some of which are comfortable and some not so comfortable. Being confronted with the momentum of habituated actions, behaviours, patterns and cravings is no small feat, and requires strong will forces (i.e. motivation and commitment to direct our bodies and action in a way that serves us and our intention).

Do I give in to that urge to grab those highly processed fatty/sugary foods, telling myself “Just one won’t hurt” or “This was a trial run, let’s re-start next Monday, month, etc.”? Or do I notice and be present to what’s happening? Do I distinguish and create some distance between myself and these impulses and discomfort, offering myself and my body empathy and reassurance?

In addition to these three categories of experience, this experience has been evoking an additional level of presence, mindfulness and mindfulness hygiene (e.g. no phone, reading or any distraction while I’m eating), a greater sense of awareness and attunement to my body and my movements and noticing an increased sense of care and consideration that’s naturally arising for my body. Together with a playfulness and sensory curiosity that expresses naturally as I eat the fruit.

I’m curious and excited to see what and how this exploration unfolds. What is clear is that the importance of having the skill and capacity to relate to one’s self and one’s experience is applicable to all spheres of human life and endeavour.

If you’re curious to learn more and follow this journey more closely, or if it’s something that you’ve been contemplating doing or have done before, I’ll be sharing the details of this fruit journey on my Instagram and Facebook.

I hope you enjoyed this week’s blog.

Thank you for reading, for being here, and for being you.

With love.
Ceferino

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