Food - what we’re “supposed” to eat - can be a contentious topic. In general, there’s a one-size-fits-all methodology applied which, while somewhat understandable given population sizes, doesn’t serve individuals.

Within spiritual circles, similarities can be observed. There’s often talk about - and some pressure implied and/or applied - clean eating; sustainable and local sources only; veganism as the epitome of honoring our spiritual nature, etc. The problem: every body is different.

Every body is different

Looking at the in-the-spotlight representatives of the spiritual community, it’s easy to assume some things, such as:

• they all practice Yoga and/or Pilates

• they all meditate dozens of times every day (give or take)

• they all do deep shadow and inner child work

• they all eat whole foods only (more likely vegan; possibly raw), never drink alcohol and wouldn’t even dream of eating a popular candy bar.

Some of those assumptions may be very close to the truth, aside from meditating dozens of times every day (give or take). And that’s great, as long as it works for them. That’s great, as long as it does true justice to their needs: body, mind and spirit.

Because with every body being different based on nature and everybody being different based on nurture, we all have different needs that are constantly evolving. If we’re doing what “everyone else” is doing because that’s apparently what’s best for us - what’s most spiritually aligned for us - then we aren’t paying attention to 1) our own needs and 2) our own spiritual path of growth.

And yes, while this post is mainly about food, that last sentence can easily be applied to any other practices we take on because they’re trending in the circles we travel.

Food and spiritual growth

Are food and spiritual growth even a thing we’re meant to string together? It’s a question I haven’t asked my guides before this, and here’s their response:

The food you eat is an indicator of your human nature. The food you eat is not an indicator of spiritual growth unless it is a requirement based upon religious strictures. That being the case, the food is being used as a religious pawn. The way of the food and spiritual growth may run parallel if there is a need to use food to improve health, therefore increasing longevity, therefore affording a greater lifespan to apply toward spiritual growth. Apart from that, what you eat does not prove or improve your spiritual growth.

That statement lays a lot to rest, if we’re willing to accept it as a truth. Past that, what remains is for us to perhaps set our sight on the sometimes gentle, sometimes inconvenient, always ready practice of intuitive eating.

Intuitive eating

Basically, intuitive eating is, well, eating intuitively. It’s pausing to inquire intuitively what foods will best serve us at any given time, and then doing our best to ingest them.

The great thing about intuitive eating is, our eating evolves with our needs without any thought on our part. The annoying thing about intuitive eating is, our eating evolves with our needs without any thought on our part. Two sides of the same coin and all that.

Intuitive eating means we’re eating, at all times, for where we are physically, emotionally and spiritually. It also means that our eating will be very adjustable depending on where we are physically, emotionally and spiritually.

For some, it could very realistically mean that one day we eat vegan, the next pescatarian, and the next paleo. For others, it might mean a long affair with intermittent fasting and/or vegetarianism.

With intuitive eating, there’s no right way or wrong way of eating because you’re eating for you and your needs exclusively. And by eating that way, the food you eat will most definitely support your spiritual growth.

Blessed be.