Smell & Taste (TIWC- July 17, 2007)

Infinite Oneness!

The topic last Tuesday (July 17th) at the Inner Work circle was the Sense of Smell and Taste. It not a usual theme for reflection and sharing and it may not seem that significant but as it turned out we had a rich sharing after all.

The sense of smell and taste are indeed very connected. We were reminded how we all usually have our taste buds crippled whenever we catch a cold or we have a clogged nose. Indeed our olfactory system is needed by the tongue to perceive fully the different kinds of tastes. This is how we can also figure out by simply smelling if a new kind of food in front of us is palatable or not.

I remember learning that for snakes it’s the opposite. They say that snakes smell the surroundings (to detect preys maybe, or other creatures) through their tongue—this is why they flick their two-pronged antenna-like tongues most of the time.

Some say scents and aromas can trigger memories more strongly than the other senses. I’ve heard somewhere that the olfactory nerve is the shortest—and therefore, closest—nerve that connects to the brain. That could be the explanation.

On another note, the olfactory sense becomes a significant topic when we mention the term “pheromones”. We all know what these are for especially among animals. So how will procreation be without these? Although human pheromones have not yet been scientifically proven, we all know already the effect of perfumes and aroma when it comes to romance and “procreation”.

Speaking of aromas, another popular term nowadays is aromatherapy—which pertains to a mode of relaxation and anti-stress treatment. Indeed, the “fastfood complex” in the modern times have led us to take for granted the simple blessings like the taste of real food. Along with the lack of nutrients that go with fastfood is the attitude of “getting it over with”, or the habit of chit-chatting and even watching TV while eating—and not minding the food, the “gifts from God’s bounty.” One sharer said, “it is our turn to bless the food by being aware of it while we take it in and appreciating it as divine blessings.”

I’ve heard of a meditation exercise (Zen perhaps) wherein each participant is asked to eat one raisin for one minute. This leads one to savor the raisin fully—its taste, its texture, etc. Talk about mindfulness. That’s what we call “chewing meditation.” (We should all try it sometimes!)

There’s an expression when we are being reminded to de-stress, relax, and take rest from the daily rush of the mundane routine. We usually say: “Stop and smell the flowers.”

Now we can add to that: “Stop and taste your food”.

The last session was a bit different as we reversed the order of the regular format. We started first with the sharing on the theme and at around 7:11pm before we proceeded with meditation for about half an hour. This was so to specially connect with many other people around the world who also meditated in that same hour in conscious oneness. A world wide movement has taken this initiative to synergetically gather people to pray and meditate together all at the same time to enforce and empower what is called the grid of human consciousness for peace and healing in the world. The session ended with movement meditation through Q-Gong body-mind relaxation exercises.

Next Tuesday (July 24) our reflections will center around the following questions: What makes me feel most energetic and alive? What makes me feel tired and low (What drains me)? What are the things I like and don’t like(doing, eating, seeing, experiencing)?

Until then, let us dream, wishper, and realize for the world:
Active compassion…
Conscious oneness…
Teamwork and harmony...
Dynamic Peace…
Synergy…


Shanti!
O.