Good day to you all. First let me remind you that next week we will not meet in class. However, an essay assignment will be posted week 8 on the website (fall0020.blogspot.com), so be sure to read the page and complete the work.
Today I will return last week's hypothetical essays and review them with you. As Thanksgiving, a feast day, is around the corner I think it appropriate we write something about food culture in America and around the world or in whichever geographical area you feel most grounded. In this way we can review the use of summary and direct quotation too, for I ask that you integrate into the essay you write today two or more quotations from one or more of the pieces you will read as background, each referenced below, "Six Rules For Eating Wisely," "Michael Pollan Answers Readers’ Questions," and the excerpt from Thich Nhat Han's Happiness. The first two are by one of America's best known food writer's, a professor of journalism at UC Berkeley, and the third by a well-known Buddhist monk/author.
Today I will return last week's hypothetical essays and review them with you. As Thanksgiving, a feast day, is around the corner I think it appropriate we write something about food culture in America and around the world or in whichever geographical area you feel most grounded. In this way we can review the use of summary and direct quotation too, for I ask that you integrate into the essay you write today two or more quotations from one or more of the pieces you will read as background, each referenced below, "Six Rules For Eating Wisely," "Michael Pollan Answers Readers’ Questions," and the excerpt from Thich Nhat Han's Happiness. The first two are by one of America's best known food writer's, a professor of journalism at UC Berkeley, and the third by a well-known Buddhist monk/author.
In Michael Pollan's article "Six Rules For Eating Wisely" (http://michaelpollan.com/articles-archive/six-rules-for-eating-wisely/) he instructs Americans on ways to improve their eating habits. Early on, he says we all once knew how to eat well but that something has been lost in our culture. "Culture in this case," he writes, "is just a fancy way of saying 'your mom'." What has replaced Mom? A billion dollar food industry now teaches us what to eat, not necessarily to our benefit or that of the environment. His six rules include the following. Number one, eat real food, not "food products," which he defines as manufactured foods. He follows with the next five rules and reminds us at last that "how [we] eat is as important as what [we] eat," and to "savor" our food and the company in which we eat it.
You can view the other more recent piece at the same site under "Articles" or at the following URL: http://michaelpollan.com/articles-archive/michael-pollan-answers-readers-questions/
You can view the other more recent piece at the same site under "Articles" or at the following URL: http://michaelpollan.com/articles-archive/michael-pollan-answers-readers-questions/
Contemplating our food for a few seconds before eating and eating in mindfulness can bring us much happiness. In our practice centers, we use the Five Contemplations as a way of reminding ourselves where our food comes from and its purpose.
The first contemplation is being aware that our food comes directly from the earth and the sky. It is a gift of the earth and the sky, and also of the people who prepared it. The second contemplation is about being worthy of the food we eat. The way to be worthy of our food is to eat mindfully—to be aware of its presence and thankful for having it. We cannot allow ourselves to get lost in our worries, fears, or anger over the past or the future. We are there for the food because the food is there for us; it is only fair. Eat in mindfulness, and you will be worthy of the earth and the sky.
The third contemplation is about becoming aware of our negative tendencies and not allowing them to carry us away. We need to learn how to eat in moderation, to eat the right amount of food. The bowl that is used by a monk or a nun is referred to as the "instrument of appropriate measure." It is very important not to overeat. If you eat slowly and chew very carefully, you will get plenty of of nutrition. The right amount of food is the amount that helps us to stay healthy.
The fourth contemplation is about the quality of our food. We are determined to ingest only food that has no toxins for our body and our consciousness, food that keeps us healthy and nourishes our compassion. This is mindful eating. The Buddha said that if you eat in such a way that compassion is destroyed in you, it is like eating the flesh of your children. So practice eating in such a way that you can keep compassion alive in you.
The fifth contemplation is being aware that we receive food in order to realize something. Our lives should have meaning and that meaning is to help people suffer less, and help them to touch the joys of life. When we have compassion in our hearts and know that we are able to help a person suffer less, life begins to have more meaning. This is very important food for us and can bring us a lot of joy. A single person is capable of helping many living beings. And it is something we can do anywhere.
—Thich Nhat Hanh, Happiness
Essay #6: In 350 words or more (and three paragraphs or more) discuss what it means to eat well and wisely, using the readings assigned and your own food culture and traditions to develop your claims and support. Your own dietary habits and holiday traditions may form the foundation of the essay and serve as a seasonal tie to the subject matter. You must use at least two direct quotations, one from each background reading. Choose the passages that speak to your sense of what it means to eat well, and allow them to illustrate your food habits or holiday traditions.
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