Traditionally, the definition of shenpa is literally "attachment." But the subtle meaning behind shenpa, in Buddhism, is more nuanced. Pema Chodron, a contemporary ordained Buddhist nun and writer on Buddhist philosophy, defines shenpa as "the hook" of craving that keeps us mired in the prison of our own attachment. Or, to put it another way, it's the itch that we can't help but scratching.
When applied to our relationship to food, shenpa leads many of us to struggle with weight gain, self-control and shame. Mastering our struggle with shenpa is the first step in empowering ourselves to get our lives under control. For those struggling with a flailing job market and economic turmoil, getting a handle on eating habits is one way we can be in control of our lives.
What Exactly is Shenpa?
Shenpa is the hook of craving: the trapped feeling that keeps us mired in negative thought and self-imposed suffering. It's the late night craving for junk food; it's the overeating when we're already full; it's the lazy consumption of fast food when there are healthier options available. It's also the buy-in to shaming advertising telling us we need to consume certain products in order to be better people, versus listening to our own inner awareness of what we actually need in each moment.
Cheryl Sindell, clinical nutritionist and author of Not "Just a Salad" and Cooking Without Recipes, has this to say: "One of the greatest discoveries of our generation is that we can alter our health simply by altering the attitude of our mind."
Cheryl believes that eating is a spiritual practice and that the mindless food- and drink-shoveling that shenpa subjects us to leads to a lack of balance in our lives. We may not be able to control the economy, but we can begin to get a grip on our own selves by taking better care through mindful eating and choosing nutritious options over the deception of convenience that junk food promises.
The First Step in Developing Healthy Eating Habits
Rather than looking outward to advertising, fad diets or professional nutritional advice, the first step to mindful eating is to start to recognize bona fide hunger versus the craving for an emotional fix in the form of food. And rather than eating just because it's time, or based on social engagements, begin to notice when you are truly hungry, and eat just until you are full.
What you put into your belly is another matter. It can be difficult to sort through all the mixed messages that the media and our own upbringings give us about food. A good step in the right direction is to become familiar with the tenets of the Slow Food Movement, which preach eating local, organic foods cooked at home.
In fact, as Cheryl Sindell will tell you, cooking at home is generally healthier (and better for your wallet) than eating on the run. And it's not as difficult as you might think.
How Can Shenpa Serve Us?
Shenpa is the root of suffering, but it can also serve as a portal out of suffering. Buddhists believe that as soon as you shine awareness on a problem area, issue, or struggle, you then gain power over it and can use your awareness as a tool, thus creating your own exit strategy.
The more we embrace mindful eating (rather than mindless food-shoveling), the stronger and healthier we become, and not just on a physical level. Mastery over our own eating habits is one of the most empowering spiritual tools we can develop.
On the other hand, a certain degree of struggle—especially in regard to our eating habits—is unavoidable. An important element of shenpa is the acceptance that "life is suffering." How we choose to respond to that suffering is what determines our level of peace and happiness.
By taking care of ourselves from the inside out, we then set ourselves up to be the most alert, healthy, mentally-nourished version of ourselves. And that's the first step toward getting our lives in gear.
Joslyn Hamilton - Joslyn spent ten years in the yoga industry working for successful yoga teachers, attending yoga conferences and retreats, teaching yoga, ...
