Cravings are inevitable. We all have them and we all have our opinions about their origins as well. Based on our cravings and what we think they represent, we act accordingly. Without going into those different theories, here is something to consider next time you experience an urge or craving.
In the moment you are craving a particular food (let’s use ice cream), stop and contemplate this. A food craving is essentially a form of minor discomfort or suffering. The reason that we call something a “craving” is due to its basic properties of “needing” something and being uncomfortable without it. You may be thinking right now, “Well, it’s not like I really ‘need’ it, I just ‘want’ it.” Whether you translate this craving as a “need” or a “want” doesn’t matter. The two are the same if you are using either of them to describe a craving.
The craving is a form of suffering, so the best action you can take when experiencing a craving for the ice cream, is to let yourself feel it. Understand that you are experiencing a minor discomfort (or a major one possibly) and sit with it. Take this time to feel it in every fiber of your body, listen to your thoughts as you just sit with this. Try not to distract yourself with the t.v., the radio, talking to people, or even exercising. Literally remain still and quiet and pay attention to your thoughts at the present moment. You will not only learn what this craving is associated with or attached to, you will learn how to experience the present moment. This is a very “zen” way of looking at the situation, but it’s effective when learning to grow strong within your mind and body.
Now, I will admit that some of you may or may not discover that true emotional origin of your craving on the first experience. But as you bring yourself to the present moment, let yourself feel the discomfort, your craving will pass. The more and more you do this and let the craving pass, the less you will experience these annoying suffering bouts of discomfort. You are training yourself and specifically your body to respond differently to situations rather than responding by presenting you with a craving.
In other words, if you appease your cravings each time by eating the ice cream, then you’re training your body to crave this type of appeasement. You are also training yourself to think that you only way you’ll be able to get through these moments of cravings is to eat the ice cream.
That is a sad way to live. And the worst part of all this craving and appeasing of the craving is the fact that you are usually not appeased for long and too many times, the guilty feeling comes and masks the appeasement. So what you have now is a scenario of craving, temporary appeasement, guilt, and then the cycle starts all over again. The guilt usually lasts more than a day or so as you try to alter your calorie intake, your exercise intensity, and other ways in which you may not even take note.
Do yourself a favor. When the craving comes, stay present, stay with the discomfort, let the sensations rise within you and you’ll discover the truth and the craving (suffering) will begin to decrease. If you can be courageous and take this challenge, you’ll become stronger internally and conquer much more difficult challenges later. I can promise you that!
