How can eating be turned into a mindful and sensational experience that contributes to our minds emotionally?

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Stance

‍What is eating? Is it constantly checking your phone while eating, or is it fully engaging both hands and focusing entirely on your plate? It seems that we often underestimate the experience of eating, treating it merely as a functional act. Typically, we only associate eating with social interactions, as our entire culture revolves around this notion. However, eating is a multisensory experience that involves appreciating the presentation, savoring the aroma, occasionally touching the food with our hands, and ultimately completing the experience by tasting it. Humans and food have been intertwined since the beginning of our existence, as foraging is an inherent instinct guiding us to seek nutrition for survival. Consequently, eating is an everyday activity in which we engage. Unfortunately, we tend to overlook this fact when dining alone, often engaging in other distractions like watching TV shows or using our phones.

The Plot

The film depicts the emotional states of a person practicing mindfulness and respect while eating. Throughout the video, the scene alternates between two camera perspectives, splitting the screen into two sections. In the opening scene, the character carefully places the needle on the vinyl record, symbolizing the beginning of the meal. The next frame presents an overhead view showcasing an exquisitely arranged dish on the plate, accompanied by a glass of red wine and a flickering candle. The character then delicately picks up the utensils and begins to slice into the succulent duck breast.

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The subsequent scenes focus on specific body parts that reflect the character's state of mind during the euphoric act of eating. Shot from close range, the camera captures the character's eyes, nose, lips, face, and hands. It portrays the meticulous movements of picking up the utensil, the downward gaze towards the food on the plate, the rhythmic chewing, and the subtle nostril movements as the character breathes in the surrounding air.

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Beyond the surface level, a secondary layer in the film illustrates the character's inner responses and associations with the food. Mindful eating involves attentiveness to all aspects of food and an understanding of its value. For instance, as the character beholds the dish, thoughts arise about the preparation techniques, with the aerated puree evoking memories of a soft, puffy blanket at home. Slicing the duck breast evokes sensations akin to running on grass, offering firmness without hardness. Dipping the meat into the puree becomes a visual metaphor, resembling the loading of a brush with ink. These scenes are artfully woven together throughout the film, leaving the audience's imagination lingering even after the meal has concluded.

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