Last week, some of the world's best clinicians and educators gathered in Seattle to present the latest research and treatment modalities for Eating Disorders. Though the actual numbers of people who have a clinical eating disorder remains small next to the numbers of people who report dissatisfaction with their bodies, by itself, I am shocked by how many girls and women (and some men) are still suffering from this physical and psychological disorder in Westernized countries, and how many more receive inadequate treatment.
I think we can blame the media only so much; certainly, images of young women with thighs only as big as the largest part of their calves are glamorized in the pages of magazines and on film, and it does not help the case of the young and impressionable mind trying to figure out how she is to feel about gaining 40 pounds in 3 years time in order to put enough healthy fat on her bones to begin menses (between 11 and 14 years old).
Buddhist psychology reminds us that every action and thought of each individual is connected to all others. That means that my repulsion to, say, Cheeze-Whiz, actually has an effect on someone else as I message out to him or her about my pickiness concerning over-processed foods. I'm not saying you or I cannot have an opinion, but I've been noticing how my own beliefs can have a negative effect on others, especially those who are formulating their values about food and their bodies. Still, I struggle. Cheez- Whiz... isn't it that stuff bachelors like to spray directly from can to mouth? Uggh. And then, I catch myself thinking these things, and realize that food is food, neither good nor bad, right nor wrong. It's just that some of us are in need of thinking differently about our relationship with food. So, I guess I'm slowly moving towards, "Cheeze-Whiz? Ok! Let's eat that Cheeze Whiz mindfully."
As I continue my 6 week series Yoga for Weight Loss, I am keenly aware that the goal is not simply one of science: exercise + less caloric intake than you burn = weight loss. It is about changing the way you think, interact, and treat your body and mind, supporting the body to do what it was meant to do. We'll be practicing Ahimsa, the yoga principle of non-violence and non-harming to self and others, as a means of stopping self-hatred and promoting compassionate action and thought. We'll be learning that the life of true fullness is found not with restriction as much as liberation and freedom.
To all those who struggle with eating disorders and eating issues, know that there are thousands of us in the helping professions that take these things seriously. We hope your journey towards recovery is steady and full of support.
