SadhanaOriental Meditation and Christian Prayer
To pray with body (taking a breath)
[15] Diving into the world of the sense of tongue
Entering the domain of taste for meditation is difficult in some way because we could easily take a wrong course. We are very attached to the taste and we may enjoy the taste rather than meditate on it.
However, in the process of doing our “gyo (spiritual exercise),” we should not avoid this sensory domain.
First, let’s observe our sense of taste by taking natural foods and drinks. Water has a taste. Tap water in large cities unfortunately has the taste of chemicals as well. With famed waters, we can enjoy slightly sweet taste or rich mineral-like flavor.
Fruit and vegetables are what we put on our tongue without cooking or processing. We can enjoy so many kinds of fruit and vegetables!
There are traditional fruits such as oranges, apples, peaches, pears, persimmons, etc. Recently, we can also enjoy various improved versions of the same type of fruit. Let’s make in-depth observations of the taste of foods on our tongue: sweetness, acidity, tartness, firmness, freshness, juiciness, etc.
We can also be guided to the breadth and depth of the sensory world by tasting traditional vegetables in our month. How unique each vegetable is! Cucumbers, egg plants, radishes, chives, tomatoes, carrots, gingers, perilla leaves, honeworts, sweet potatoes, white potatoes… Again, you can enjoy a subtle variety of flavor in each type of vegetable.
It is a popular tradition in Japan to taste products of the sea in their natural forms. We have many ways to taste fish, shellfish, and seaweed without processing them artificially.
When we cook them, the world of taste further expands. By adding seasoning and combining flavors of various ingredients, the world is broadened. Limitless kinds of tastes can be created by cooking these foods.
We often have a false idea that we know our sense of taste very well. Let’s observe the sense on our tongue through and through.
By entering the breadth and depth of the world of the taste, we can take a fresh look at the breadth and depth of the world where we live, and we are even filled with awe.