Soup

Zen-cuisine invites us to look carefully at what is arising in the present moment, and to witness these happenings from a place of mindful awareness.  We can then interact with what's here, now, and respond with a calm and stable mind.  Staying present and awake to each experience opens us to a new reality--fully enjoying our activities in the kitchen. We don't let ourselves get lost in wandering thoughts. We notice if we begin ruminating and reviewing events of the past; we also are vigilant to the mind projecting thoughts about known circumstances into the unknowable future. We’re using zen-cuisine practices to familiarize ourselves with the workings of our abstract discursive mind.

Gradually, we learn to pay attention on an on-going basis to this ‘aware presence’ as we work in the kitchen. We use skillful techniques, such as focusing on our breath, or being mindful of our thoughts to keep ourselves grounded in the here and now.  As we look deeply and see clearly with the whole body/mind, we realize that we are aware. As we continue to practice zen-cuisine, our awareness shifts. It seems as if we are opening into a greater awareness: an awareness that is aware of being aware! We realize that in each moment, awareness is fresh and new.  Awareness nurtures acceptance of our situation in the present moment. Awareness fosters an appreciation of our responsibility to bear witness to what is going on around us.

Through awareness, we experience the heartfelt understanding at the core of our being that we are this awareness. And like this awareness, we are ever-present but impermanent, changing moment by moment. With this newly-emerging ‘uber-awareness’, we transform the kitchen into a place of peaceful, wholesome activity.  As we prepare a meal, we take careful note of what is unfolding in and around us. We observe both our body and our mind. We gently hold what arises in the container of awareness, like a delicious broth perfectly held in a soup bowl. When we are in the kitchen, zen-cuisine reminds us to ‘just be aware’ what what’s happening for this moment.

 Our practice invites us to observe and to respond appropriately, like watching the steam rise from the broth bowl.  If we are eager to taste the steaming soup, we may round our lips and blow a stream of cooling air across its surface. In the same way, we may use our breath to focus our attention, so we may augment our awareness with mindfulness.  As the energy of life-sustaining awareness empowers us, it also enlivens the food we make. We blow out breath to cool our soup, and notice when it is just the right temperature for eating. We enjoy the soup: its scrumptious taste and intriguing texture; its nourishing, revitalizing ingredients; its warming and wholesome qualities. Sipping soup, with careful attention to the activity opens us to the joys of zen-cuisine practice. It’s a good place to begin being fully alive in the extraordinary ordinariness of our daily living.  Happy Cooking!

This week: Juicy Food Recipe:fat-free chunky soup: http://juicyfoods.blogspot.com/