Food & Power

Visual by @cameron.carmen.art

When most people meet me, they ask, “O mighty one, how is it that you levitate one inch off the ground and shoot lightning bolts out of your outstretched fingers?” Despite asking this question to me, most people don’t really seem to want to know. I, too, am not inclined to tell them. My secrets are not to be squandered amongst the feeble minded. But for you dear reader? I will do anything. I will tell you how I have unlocked powers most can only dream of.

It all started centuries ago when I was eating a meal with my friend. He was rambling about some hippie dippie new age nonsense that I was completely disinclined to allow even a fraction of my limitless intelligence to entertain. Yet, he was persistent. He said to me, “Brother, I wish you to perform this exercise for your own good!” I pretended to be distracted by some commotion in the distance and flippantly wave my hand at him, “I wish not to be a part of your magical tricks. I have seen you turn that prince into a frog. I shall take no part in such blasphemy. Do not pester me so!” He said, “You stubborn mule! You do not even understand that this exercise is no magic, nor is it sorcery. In fact, anyone can perform this exercise.” That’s right dear reader, even you with your puny, near useless, half squeezed citrus of a brain can perform this exercise.

“Close your eyes before you take your next bite. When you chew, think of nothing but the food in your mouth. Feel it on your tongue, taste every speck of salt and spice. Do not listen to the bard’s song coming from the corner. Do not open your eyes to watch the duel of the knights in the street. Do nothing but eat your food.”

This was the exercise. I warily placed a morsel of meat onto my tongue and began. The results spoke for themselves. You see, when we eat, we are often too concerned with the troubles of the morrow or the pains of yesteryear to really focus on our food. In that moment, I felt the entire history of this piece of meat unfold in my mouth. The meat was crisp on the outside but juicy on the inside. It had flecks of pepper and parsley that danced joyously on my tongue. Beneath that was the complex taste of the meat; it first hits you with an almost savoury jolt of life but then slowly moves you into a stronger, sober taste as you chew. The juices will embrace your palette and massage your tastebuds. Finally, you will experience the dull, almost sweet, aftertaste when you swallow.

When I opened my eyes, the sun had set, the patrons of the inn had all but left. I had been chewing my food for three hours. OK, I exaggerate. It doesn't take a genius to figure that out. It took me about two minutes to finish that first bite. You’re probably thinking, “How can I close my eyes everytime I eat! People will think me weird and insane! Also, if I took two minutes to eat every bite, it would surely take days before I reach my daily caloric goals!”

Fool! No one is telling you to do that every time you eat. That is my way of throwing you into the deep end of a swimming pool so that you learn how to swim. What I am imploring you to do is focus on every bite. Really think about the food that goes into your mouth. I know you reader, I know that sometimes you eat your meals whilst reading a newspaper, or perhaps watching that Netflix original series. Perhaps you reply to some text messages while you eat.

Let me ask you this, dear reader. Would you ever watch a movie while wearing foam plugs in your ears that block out the soundtrack? Would you ever read a book while covering half the page with your fist? You can’t read if you are listening to music. You can’t watch a movie if you are on your phone the entire time. Some of you are probably thinking, “Why, that’s not true! I can listen to music while reading.” To you, I say shut up. I wouldn’t trust you as far as I could throw you. You are the scum of the earth and deserve to be burned at the stake in place of witches. (who actually happen to be pretty cool people) Okay, perhaps I am overreacting. But tell me this: If you would do none of these things, why would you squander the most primal and beautiful experiences available to you? Why would you squander the art of eating? I do not wish to chastise you reader. I know that this isn’t you. Yet, truly ask yourself, what’s the harm if I were to perform this exercise the next time your mother makes her famous pork ragu? Some of you may think, “I don’t need this! I already enjoy my food.” Perhaps you do. But again, give this experiment a chance and perhaps you will enjoy food much more than you think you already do. Perhaps you can also become a powerful wizard such as myself.

Well I suppose the ruse is up. You guessed it. I am no mighty sorcerer who floats one inch off the ground. Nor can I shoot lightning bolts out of my outstretched fingertips. But I am still an adventurer. Every meal is a doorway and every bite takes me to a place I have never been before. I invite you to close your eyes, take a bite, and come with me on an adventure.

Additional Visuals by @arjunoxnor

Arjun Gupte is a wizard that has mastered several schools of magic including divination, chaos magic, enchantment and restoration. In his free time he poses as a mortal film student.