Lesh Karan is a Mindful Foodie
Lesh is a holistic health and food coach, recipe developer, and founder of the website The Mindful Foodie. Over 4 years ago, her life hit a road bump when she couldn't create a (baby) bump of her own. So her corporate life took a mighty left turn into the world of holistic health. Now, through her coaching, blog, and eBook (to be released in 2013), she's on a quest to inspire you to enjoy real food in a positive, kind way — as an expression of self-love, and so that you can create your very own delicious, wholesome life.
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1. What led you to meditation?
I was gently introduced to meditation through yoga. To be honest if it weren't for yoga, I don't know if meditation (and many other things) would be in my life right now. I'm a left-brained, no-nonsense gal with a life-science background and I started yoga over 7 years ago because I 'needed to stretch'! But over the years it delivered WAY more than I could ever dream of — it's opened many doors to my inner being — directly and indirectly — and views on life.
2. What value has practising meditation brought to your life?
I find that I rely on meditation the most when I feel busy, scattered and disorganised. It helps me to feel calm and centred within the chaos. It also has helped me to become more self aware — of my habits and my thinking (it gets really busy in my head sometimes!).
3. How has meditation supported you in your professional life ?
Same as with my personal life. It is because of my business life — being a holistic health and food coach, and real food blogger — that I need grounding to stay calm, focused and do my best to help others.
4. What are the biggest obstacles to your practice?
I'd like to say time, but that's not really true, because we always make time for what we really want to do. So in that case, it's making meditation a lifestyle — a sustainable habit. But, at the same time, it's important not feel down and be negative with yourself when you miss days (weeks) of practice. It 's about being aware of it in gentle and kind way, and trying different ways to make it work for you. Like being present in to moment in whatever you are doing, such as eating (eating meditation) or walking (walking meditation). It pays to put the technology away and focus only on what you are doing — that is true meditation! 🙂
5. What is a quote that most inspires you and why?
Gosh this is a hard one! I love too many quotes. But I will have to choose one from Gandhi:
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world."
I can only change myself 🙂
6. What is a book that has opened you to new ideas and inspired your growth, why?
I have read many 'self development' books, and believe or not, I have to say it's the Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.
7. What Mindful Music do you listen to (ie. music that grabs your full attention and brings you into the moment.)
That would be some vibrant Bollywood music! I love it. It comes with having Indian blood 🙂
Or for a calmer approach, I love the Gayatri mantra (a highly revered ancient sanskrit text) — I have the version sung by Deva Premal. It's is deeply moving.
8. Why are you being Mindful in May?
Because it's a fantastic cause that achieves so many positive outcomes all at the same time — bringing people together (community) to serve others and themselves for the greater good of humanity (seva). Isn't that what life is about?