Customer Reviews

Art of the Inner Meal: Eating as a Spiritual Path

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Reader, I don't know how things are for you. But where I live, every fast food place ever invented, is thriving. In fact, I suspect that at least some of the drivers who, daily almost run me over, are heading for those places.

The only reason to add to the excellent reviews already here, is to promote one of the most important books ( I think) to appear in a long time. What is said in THE ART OF THE INNER MEAL has already been said elsewhere. There are two important differences in what Donald Altman has to say: 1). By discussing all major spiritual paths and some less well-known ones, he is striving for universality, and 2). His thinking is expressed within a framework of good, clear and simple writing.

Donald Altman knows what he is about. Reading this book will cause experiences of food quality and/or convivality to be recalled (How do we do more?). Addictions, attachments and mistakes can also come to light, and will be "in the light" simply by acknowledging them.

There is no ONE diet for either physical health or for spiritual health. Reading this book for its basic idea will result in the gradual application of his ideas or your own, inevitably resulting in the deepening and enhancement of your life.

The beauty of this is that it is open to everyone,everywhere. "The art of the inner meal means being in communication with all aspects of food, and of life"--pg.76

I checked out 7 books from the library to read on Memorial Weekend 2000. I chose Art of the Inner Meal to start. It was so wonderful, easy and thought-provking that I never got to the other 6 books. I re-read it the next day and began typing each of the poems, prayers and practices to create a remembrance book of my own. I have already recommended it to a friend who is doing a doctorate in theology and who is an Anglican priest. I am an ex-postulant of a religious order, the ex-wife of a priest and a mother and grand-mother. This book made me rearrange my kitchen. It made me focus on my body and on the food I eat daily. It even invited a healing sensation in my right side which has ben numb for several years.I related totally to the exciting and meditative atmosphere of this work. I thank Mr. Altman for letting me share his adventures into fasting and spirituality. I am grateful indeed. Shalom

Sylvia Worrell 149 Nw 11th St #17 Miami, Florida 33136-2779

Donald Altman has combined the old adages 'you become what you think' and 'you are what you eat' as themes for this inspirational guide to bringing the sacred into our everyday eating choices and habits. His seamless, radiant prose proved a joy to read and helped me to reevaluate my own relationship to food, giving me ideas for rituals--personal and collective-- which can make our consumption of food even more fulfilling and meaningful.

What a wonderful book !! It lives up to its title and I learned so much and was reminded of past lessons learned about how every culture has a sense of the spiritual in their meals. The chapter on how eating with ones friends and or family and the ritual of listening and sharing stories is ageless. Or the tea ceremony. Monks and how they eat and even a Chapter on fasting and its benefits and connections to eating.

There is also an enchanting and informative chapter titled The Good, The Bad, The Forbidden.. which is about how some cultures believe some foods are best and some foods are forbidden. Like in Hinduism that believes that vegetarian is best since bad karma comes from killing an animal. Or Zen Buddhism that uses the philosophy of cooking that speeds spiritual development and total health. Thus the idea of stirfry.

It is simply a delightful and intelligent book that will appeal to most serious readers I think.

It isn't often that a book touches you deeply about something you normally take for granted. But this one just may help you look at meals in a whole new way--it did for me. Altman's "Art of the Inner Meal" explores in depth the holy nourishment that each daily meal offers us. Best of all, he does it with panache, humor, and wisdom. His stories of how each of the world's major religious traditions use food as a spiritual tool gave me a new understanding and perspective on how the power of food has shaped religious faith across the centuries. It's an empowering book, too, because at another level it deals with how each of us can use food to liberate our consciousness and gain control over what we eat (no calorie counting here) through what Altman calls a "spiritual diet." Also, as a Buddhist monk, he also shares stories about his own struggles with food while in the monastery...in particular a hilarious story involving a chocolate bar. Inspiring and informative, "Art of the Inner Meal" is a great read. Highly recommended for food lovers, spiritual seekers and especially recovering junk-food junkies!

I loved this book so much that I bought the new expanded paperback edition. The paperback is even better and has literally helped to change my life in my struggle with binge eating. There are several important changes in the new edition that you want to know about...

First, there's a new subtitle-- "The Power of Mindful Practices to Heal Our Food Cravings", which shows more focus on the mindfulness tools. Second, there's a new introduction where the author talks about mindfulness as a powerful, clinically proven method for helping those with eating issues. Third, this book contains more really great mindfulness exercises--which gave me wonderful guidance (I really liked the food inventory tool). Lastly, there's a valuable new chapter called "The Six Steps of Changing Food Habits." This chapter is awesome because it ties all the elements of the earlier hardcover together. Plus, it gives me a practical six step method for making real changes in how I now approach food.

Get the paperback version and you'll save money too! (it's only $13.95). It has a new cover, which means you have to give up that goreous pear--but it's well worth it! Definitely an amazing book.

When I started reading Art of the Inner Meal, I didn't expect it to change the way I ate. But it did. It actually took me step by step to a new relationship with food and eating. It taught me about what Altman calls "food static," and how to look out for it.

Maybe most important, this book showed me how to be more compassionate toward myself and my food choices. It has given me the freedom to mess up and try again with more forgiving awareness. I am very grateful and will keep this book close at hand every holiday season or whenever I am stressed. It's a really amazing book.

Interesting & provacative look inside our relationship to food. More than anything this book helped me see where we have lost our way in relation to food and the spiritual significance it's long had in our society. What's truly wonderful is that Altman has inspired me to recreate a ritual around my meals. To be more thoughtful in what & how I am eating with others. Thank you!

The author's study of the food traditions of 4 major religions and the use as a path to a more spirtual life.
A lot of good points were made, and there were exercises to do at the end of every chapter. A good reference at the back of the book. Mostly he preaches the gift of sharing a meal and savouring every bite. Sounds obvious, but how many of us do this?
The idea behind the diets is sound but keeping a lot of fresh food around the house would be too time consuming for most people.
Some great points to take away with you.

Altman makes some profound observations around food and ritual/spirituality. Useful exercises and meditations. However, the book became a bit too long winded and I lost interest 2/3 through.