Humans are dynamic and complex beings. We engage in a myriad of behaviors, some of which are very destructive. It is estimated that ten percent of Americans will experience an eating disorder at some point in their lives. Most of those who develop this behavior do so during adolescence. This should come as no surprise, since teenagers are prone to increased stress and anxiety from their peers during this precarious phase of “finding oneself.” Rather than dive into the science of eating disorders I would like to focus on the principle reason for these habits. I mean to explore beyond social situations and idiosyncratic behaviors. I will highlight aspects that are foundational to all human beings. With this I will remind the reader that while many would consider the work of science to be that of seeking objective truth, I regard it as dogma, another belief system we cling to in search of answers. Instead, I seek understanding through direct experience; apprehending truth first-hand by way of insights into my true nature, that of humans.
Eating in the absence of hunger pains is used as a distraction mechanism by the ego to alleviate the discomfort that accompanies self-awareness. Ego is the sense of self, the awareness of the idea of a separate self existing inside of an objective reality. This conscious awareness of ourselves manifests as anxiety. I will discuss this idea further in a future post, as it is a rather complex topic. There is an innate equilibrium, or feeling of pleasantness and lack of want accessible to us all. This can become disrupted when certain needs are not met, such as the feeling of hunger. Similarly, we experience physical pain as an indication that something is wrong with the body. If the body is functioning properly, we are unaware of it. When anxiety arises, the natural inclination is to make it go away.
Imagine you are feeling anxious about something. It doesn’t matter what exactly; anxiety arises. You could sit with that anxiety and question its origin, think about the implications of letting it run its course, contemplate the nature of anxiety, or the idea of feeling. There are an infinite number of responses available to you, but that anxiety is so darned uncomfortable. Its like a car alarm that won’t turn off, or a big dumb clown blaring a squeeze horn in your face, whatever. This anxiety is seen as the problem. Its got you feeling off your equilibrium, out of vibration. You are looking for a distraction, something to alleviate this discomfort. Eating will give your mind something to chew on. So you find yourself eating even though you are not hungry. What is it that you are munching? Probably something convenient because getting rid of the anxiety has become paramount, and since media and culture dictate your food choices, convenience means processed food that is full of additives. This kind of indiscriminate eating behavior to solve the problem of anxiety will inevitably lead to a disorder and or poor physical health.
A persistent sensation of ego and strong identification with the body could mean an inclination towards maintaining a certain physical appearance in keeping with the social norm. Since being slim and lean is held as the ideal, at least in western culture, its only natural that some people develop an unhealthy relationship with food and find themselves suffering from anorexia. This is no different from the anxiety discussed previously. The source is still the same, only in this case its running far more rampant.
Of course, there are extensive reasons as to why we develop these behaviors. Science would have us digging into our past, processing our feelings, thoughts, and checking our behavior patterns. There certainly is merit to this kind of work, but I believe it could be taken to another level by simply reducing the preoccupation with the self. Focus less on ego and more on others by way of volunteering. When we devote our time and energy to helping others regardless of the cause, a shift happens. Our awareness begins to expand; our perception moves outside our ego sphere and we begin to notice things like never before. Another method for reducing the focus on our self is to find a constructive use of our free time. Boredom is an interesting challenge many people face. If we engage in an activity that we are passionate about our awareness moves away from ego and becomes centered on the task. “Time flies when you’re having fun.” When our concentration is thoroughly engaged, the thought of ego doesn’t arise.
This is a complex and emotionally charged topic. Therapeutic methods works for some and not others. There are as many approaches as there are counselors and therapists. I don’t want to discount anyone’s suffering. Those stricken with this hardship should seek help in whatever way they can until they find something that works. If we as a society want to do away with eating disorders and any self-destructive behavior for that matter, we will have to stop placing so much emphasis on the self, the ego. Our culture breeds selfies, egocentric reality tv, spotlighting athletes, Hollywood stardom, etc. The thing to remember is that each of us only exists in the light of everyone else.