Being with Cravings

Cravings appear to be made up of a sensation and a thought.

There is a sensation in the body - perhaps a grumbling tummy - and almost immediately after the sensation arrives, the mind labels the sensation - in this example - hunger - and seeks to satisfy it - e.g. with food.

This chain of events happens so quickly - the focus from being aware of the sensation to engaging with thoughts about it - that I often don't consider that a 'craving' can 'end' at the sensation itself.

When a 'craving' arrives, there is the opportunity to be aware of the sensation, not label it (hunger, nicotine withdrawal, horniness) and not 'do' anything about it - if you don't wish to.

When Alex and I have tried this (me with hunger, Alex with hunger and nicotine), we notice that the 'craving' passes within seconds or minutes - and the next time it arrives, it has less 'pull'. The 'craving' has less control over us.

It has been helpful to me to know that there exists the ability to 'end' the craving at the sensation-point - if 'fulfilling the craving' is not wanted or practical.

Of course, there is nothing wrong with fulfilling a craving - there is nothing wrong with anything - but to know it can be seen and not fulfilled is pretty cool.