Having meal used to consider sacred activity in local culture. It used to be considered critical so people used to eat by sitting on the floor and enjoying food fully.
So when someone is eating, there used to be helping hands to serve them. At special days like marriage, family members take care of all guests (Atithi(s)) and serve them food with love. They feel pride in contributing sacred meals of near and dear ones.
Now?
Now we arrange buffet and guests have to arrange queue like criminals do in jail. No respect for guests. It is different thing that guests also have no respect for host in most cases 😀
Guests eat standing and get engaged in talks. Eating happens as background process as neglected task. No self-respect.
Side effects
• Due to lack of attention to food, enough secretion of stomach acids and enzymes does not occur -> lead to indigestion -> sickness in near future
• Due to standing position, Apana Vayu (The downward force described in Ayurveda) is deranged. -> lead to indigestion-> sickness in near future
Solution?
• Always be seated while eating.
• Give complete focus to food. Talks can wait. Gossips can wait. Cell phone can wait. Food cannot wait.
