Lately in group and in the most recent Musings article, we've been talking about nonseparation -- the Holy Grail of Awareness practitioners. One way I've been practicing with nonseparation is to focus on receiving all that Life offers in each moment (a la the mantra "Yes. Please. Thank you. I love you.") It can be challenging for me to stay in receiving/nonseparate mode without sliding back into the karmic "do-er" or "giver" identification that keeps egocentrickarmicconditioning/self-hate at the center of the universe. However, I find I am always on the receiving side of the equation with one thing: food. It's hard, even for conditioned mind, to concoct a story about me offering anything to food; it's always food that offers itself to me. I suspect that's why there is so much pressure to distract oneself and feel separate from the act of eating -- being present with food is a sure-fire way to feel loved, supported and graced beyond belief.
If you want to feel Life's generosity through every sense in the body, just pick up an orange, or cucumber, or beet....and receive!
Gassho,
Rebecca
Here is a wonderful new (to us) recipe, adapted from a blog by Megan Telpner.
Orange Zest-Infused Stew
Makes 9-10 cups
1 large red onion, diced
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 Tbsp ginger root, grated
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp ground coriander
2 tsp dried sage
2 tsp dried rosemary
2 cinnamon sticks
2 cups sweet potato, chopped
2 cups butternut squash, chopped
1 cup carrots, chopped
1 cup parsnips, chopped
15oz can chickpeas, drained
1 Tbsp orange zest
2 cups water
Sauté onion, garlic, ginger, cumin, coriander, sage, rosemary and cinnamon sticks. Cook and stir for 5 minutes or until onion is tender and translucent.
Stir in vegetables, chickpeas, orange zest and water.
Bring mixture to a boil, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and let simmer for about 30 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the veggies are tender.
Remove lid and simmer for another 15 minutes. If it looks too watery, remove ½ cup of liquid and reserve in separate bowl.
Once desired thickness is achieved, add 1 tsp salt.