Greetings,
An interesting article I encountered that reminded me of this topic...
Eating one meal per day may promote positive changes in health
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m ... n27263642/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
I know from personal experience that I don't do enough physical exercise to justify the consumption of three meals each day... I suspect the same could be said for many other people whose work often has them sat in front of a computer.
Metta,
Retro.
Why one meal a day?
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Re: Why one meal a day?
"Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
Precepts: Not eating after mid-day / Avoiding lofty beds
I am just wondering if anybody on the forum has followed the precepts of not eating after mid-day or avoiding lofty beds (most standard beds are considered "lofty beds") continuously for many years?
If so, it would be nice if you can share your experience on how it brought some benefit or how it may have changed your disposition.
(Also - does hunger in the evenings go away after some period of time?)
If so, it would be nice if you can share your experience on how it brought some benefit or how it may have changed your disposition.
(Also - does hunger in the evenings go away after some period of time?)
Re: Precepts: Not eating after mid-day / Avoiding lofty beds
I am wondering too, if there is anybody like this here Perhaps asking like this isn't the best way to get a response at all ...Nori wrote:...continuously for many years?
Or you expect replies from ordained people only ...
Kind regards
Re: Precepts: Not eating after mid-day / Avoiding lofty beds
ive heard from people that if you skip dinner enough you get used to it. its done to keep the mind light, think about how you mind is after thanksgiving dinner. hard to meditate.
Take care of mindfulness and mindfulness will take care of you.
Re: Precepts: Not eating after mid-day / Avoiding lofty beds
A more restful night's sleep also.befriend wrote:ive heard from people that if you skip dinner enough you get used to it. its done to keep the mind light, think about how you mind is after thanksgiving dinner. hard to meditate.
- "And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting oneself one protects others? By the pursuit, development, and cultivation of the four establishments of mindfulness. It is in such a way that by protecting oneself one protects others.
"And how is it, bhikkhus, that by protecting others one protects oneself? By patience, harmlessness, goodwill, and sympathy. It is in such a way that by protecting others one protects oneself.
- Sedaka Sutta [SN 47.19]
Re: Precepts: Not eating after mid-day / Avoiding lofty beds
I don't use "lofty bed" for some last years, there is no problem with that (unless you prefer to sleep on a floor without a bedding -). Eating once a day is harder to observe - at first I found it almost impossible to keep. At the present time I've realized for myself that eating once a day is more than enough and that hunger is partly (or even may be "largely") produced by pure mental desire to eat something. Yes, it is true that hunger disappears when you practise this precept for quite a long period of time (even a month can be enough). The good idea is to eat after 5 hours since you get up in the morning (no matter at what time exactly you get up). And you should eat a lot of food, not little (right amount depends on each person, so this should be figured out by yourself). If you want to be ritualistic and follow the rule as it says "eat before noon" - then this will be a good idea to get up early, so to keep these 5 hours before taking food. And of course, it this case you'll have to go to bed earlier too (otherwise you will fight with hunger in the late evening).I am just wondering if anybody on the forum has followed the precepts of not eating after mid-day or avoiding lofty beds (most standard beds are considered "lofty beds") continuously for many years?
Also, in the beginning you can practise like that: eat once a day, and then have a tea with cakes or candies or chocolate or cheese in the evening. After some time you will manage to drop cakes & candies ,) Tea is no problem - you can keep it - this is not a food -)
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Re: Precepts: Not eating after mid-day / Avoiding lofty beds
Hunger goes away, as long as you get enough to eat during the one meal. I have been doing the one meal program for several years and feel much better, sleep better, and it keeps the weight off.
See also this thread: http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=3045" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
See also this thread: http://www.dhammawheel.com/viewtopic.php?f=31&t=3045" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Re: Precepts: Not eating after mid-day / Avoiding lofty beds
I think it is very challenging (if not impossible) to get enough calories to cover basic caloric needs with one meal only. I would suggest to have two meals before mid-day.
I am underweight and once gave it a try for a few days only and still lost too much weight with two meals.
Kind regards
I am underweight and once gave it a try for a few days only and still lost too much weight with two meals.
Kind regards
Re: Precepts: Not eating after mid-day / Avoiding lofty beds
As Bhante G says "Eat your breakfast like a king, share your lunch with a friend, and give your dinner to your enemy."TMingyur wrote:I think it is very challenging (if not impossible) to get enough calories to cover basic caloric needs with one meal only. I would suggest to have two meals before mid-day.
Kind regards
Liberation is the inevitable fruit of the path and is bound to blossom forth when there is steady and persistent practice. The only requirements for reaching the final goal are two: to start and to continue. If these requirements are met there is no doubt the goal will be attained. This is the Dhamma, the undeviating law.
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Re: Precepts: Not eating after mid-day / Avoiding lofty beds
I think in the Tipitaka, in almost all cases, the Buddha wakes up early in the morning and goes for alms (anyone know what time that is, btw?). I am assuming that he will eat what he was given not too long after in the morning..
I am wondering if it is the case that monks will generally eat once in the morning and then once again before noon? Or is it strictly once a day? (if so, closer to morning or midday?) Is it specified in the Vinaya?
I am wondering if it is the case that monks will generally eat once in the morning and then once again before noon? Or is it strictly once a day? (if so, closer to morning or midday?) Is it specified in the Vinaya?
Re: Precepts: Not eating after mid-day / Avoiding lofty beds
Most monks I know eat two meals. As I understand it, the Vinaya specifies a time for eating (dawn to noon). Eating just one meal is an additional ascetic practice, mentioned in some Suttas.
And note that there is no prohibition on fluids, which would make it much more difficult.
Mike
And note that there is no prohibition on fluids, which would make it much more difficult.
Mike
Re: Precepts: Not eating after mid-day / Avoiding lofty beds
Thanks for your suggestion, and thanks David for feedback.Zom wrote:Also, in the beginning you can practise like that: eat once a day, and then have a tea with cakes or candies or chocolate or cheese in the evening. After some time you will manage to drop cakes & candies ,) Tea is no problem - you can keep it - this is not a food -)
Re: Precepts: Not eating after mid-day / Avoiding lofty beds
I wonder if sleeping on a lower bed really has any significant effect on ones ego or conceit?
Or was this precept in response to the prevalence of Guru's lounging on extravagant 'decked out' seats and beds during that period? Or an ascetic practice of taking away extreme comfort?
I am still baffled that it is one of the eight precepts.. I would figure that it would have to be very significant for it to become one of eight precepts.
Does anyone believe the effect of this precept is significant and why?
I have often considered cutting off the legs from my platform bed, but then I cannot store boxes underneath. I also do not see the reason.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Or was this precept in response to the prevalence of Guru's lounging on extravagant 'decked out' seats and beds during that period? Or an ascetic practice of taking away extreme comfort?
I am still baffled that it is one of the eight precepts.. I would figure that it would have to be very significant for it to become one of eight precepts.
Does anyone believe the effect of this precept is significant and why?
I have often considered cutting off the legs from my platform bed, but then I cannot store boxes underneath. I also do not see the reason.
Any thoughts are appreciated.
Last edited by Nori on Sun Oct 02, 2011 7:54 am, edited 1 time in total.
Re: Precepts: Not eating after mid-day / Avoiding lofty beds
I am interpreting the precepts beyond the first five to be a refinement of the first five, i.e. with the purpose of enhancing awareness of one's subtle self (grasping) habits and to train to "see through" these habits and thus to establish (more or less) effortless discipline. These precepts are not "an end in themselves". They are "method". To appoach them with a competitive mind or "what do I get from it" actually undermines the purpose of these precepts.
Kind regards
Kind regards
Re: Precepts: Not eating after mid-day / Avoiding lofty beds
This is a perfect example of minor rules which should have been abolished.