Chocolate Meditation
In her video, Dr. Gill tantalizingly refers to a method of meditation using chocolate. “DARK chocolate,” she strongly advises. Following is the description of this technique.
The Chocolate Meditation.
The chocolate meditation is one of the most pleasurable, 'delicious' forms of mindfulness meditation out there, and it's a very convenient one, too: it's simple enough for beginners, but effective enough to interest those experienced in meditation and seeking some variety.
The chocolate meditation brings many of the same benefits of other forms of meditation, but is perhaps easier to commit to because it has a built-in reward above and beyond the general rewards of meditation: chocolate.
Finally, if you're already a fan of chocolate and trying to cut down on how much chocolate you eat, you can use this as a form of mindful eating to help yourself eat less and stress less next time you find yourself enjoying some of your favorite chocolatey desserts. Whatever your motivations, the chocolate meditation is a great one to learn. Here's how to do it.
How to Meditate With Chocolate
Get a small piece of chocolate. That's right; for the chocolate meditation, you need, of course, a piece of chocolate. We recommend a small piece of dark chocolate with a large cocoa content, but you can use a chocolate kiss, a handful of semi-sweet chips, or whatever you have on-hand. It need not be a large piece of chocolate, either; in fact, bite-sized or a little larger is best.
Relax your body. Take a few deep breaths and work on un-tensing your muscles to relax your body. You want to start your chocolate meditation as physically relaxed as possible. Close your eyes, if you feel comfortable with it.
Smell, gaze, and nibble. After you smell the chocolate and enjoy the aroma, after you look at the chocolate and really take in how delicious it looks, you can finally take a small bite of your chocolate. Let it sit on your tongue and melt in your mouth. Notice the flavors from the chocolate, becoming completely absorbed in what you're experiencing right now. Continue your deep breathing, and concentrate on the sensations in your mouth.
Focus on the sensations. As you swallow, focus on how it feels going down. Notice how your mouth feels empty. Then, as you take a second bite, try to even notice how your arm feels as you raise the chocolate to your mouth, how it feels between your fingers, and then in your mouth. Again, focus on the sensations you are feeling in the present moment.
Re-focus on the present. If other thoughts come into your mind during your chocolate meditation, gently refocus your attention to the flavors and sensations associated with the chocolate. The idea is to stay in the present moment as much as you possibly can.
Savor the feeling. When you're done savoring your chocolate, revisit the feeling throughout your day, and feel more relaxed. You may choose to continue your meditation after the chocolate is gone, or simply resume your day immediately afterward.
Tips for Meditating With Chocolate
You don't need to consume large quantities of chocolate during this exercise. In fact, if you're doing it carefully, you won't need to consume much at all.
If you're sensitive to chocolate or have issues with sugar, you can try a similar type of meditation with raisins or other savour-able food you're able to safely eat.
If you meditate every day, you'll find lasting benefits and perhaps even a greater resilience toward stress.