The Buddha said that “all things exist on food.” We may pay attention to what we’re taking into our bodies physically—but do we pay attention to what we’re taking in mentally? Brother Phap Hai, a senior monastic disciple of Venerable Thich Nhat Hanh, explores the Buddha’s teachings on the four nourishments of life: edible foods, sense impressions, volition, and consciousness. By examining our relationship to each nutriment, we can engage with physical and mental nourishment as a spiritual practice, substantially affecting our daily lives. 

Download a list of the 51 Mental Formations.