Anxiety in the Kitchen: Part 1

Sometimes you walk into the kitchen, full of energy and enthusiasm for preparing a meal. But sometimes, not only are you lacking interest and zest for the task, you don’t even want to go into the kitchen.  These negative reactions are ‘resistance’. Their presence is a good indication you’ve fallen out of the Now. You've landed with your feet planted in some past or future thought-field, rife with anxiety and delusion that resist the present moment. No wonder you feel stressed! You’re out-of-sync with your own inner being. In such circumstances, zen-cuisine is a useful tool for uncovering and transforming stress, removing resistance from your kitchen adventures. How do you practice this skill? Deepak Chopra says, “Do whatever it takes to resolve the resistance and turn it into acceptance." Here is an opportunity to practice a zen-cuisine technique of being fully present with your discomfort while cultivating detachment. This skill allows you to engage deeply in whatever you are doing, valuing the process as well as the outcome. Such equanimity leads to an end of culinary anxiety, as it opens your heart to the ever-expanding energy of unconditional love.

A simple zen-cuisine investigation of resistance begins with becoming aware of your automatic negative thoughts. Once you are aware of the habitual ‘self-talk’  fueling unpleasant reactions, you can teach yourself to catch these stressful thoughts before they stress you out!  The kitchen is a wonderful place to give yourself the time and space to watch yourself thinking as you prepare food. Make it your intention to keep negative energy out of your kitchen. This practice may seem difficult at first, it becomes easier the more often you do it. Remember, you learned to think negative thoughts, and with practice, you can ‘unlearn’ these reactive behavior patterns.  If you keep a ‘zen-cuisine’ journal or notebook, take a moment to center yourself, and briefly record your anxious thoughts. Write in a clear manner, and make each thought  more specific as you investigate it. The less vague your thoughts are, the more clarity will arise. The more clear your thinking, the more easily you will be able to unmask the present-moment reality beneath these negative thoughts. Now, as you practice zen-cuisine whenever a negative thought arises, be aware it is just thought, and thoughts are merely thinking; they are neither right nor wrong. Let go of the negative thought. Don't hold on to it; don't try to figure it out. Accept thoughts for what they are...thoughts, simply thinking.

If you meet resistance, do not be discouraged. Remember your zen-cuisine practice of breathing, and investigating your anxiety-based thinking. Relax, and be at ease with yourself. If resistance persists, Deepak Chopra says, "distance yourself and give it time." Practice acceptance. And smile. Practicing zen-cuisine is a practice of joy.