You may have heard some ardent chefs proclaim, “Cooking is my meditation.” Even if your knife skills translate to buttering your bread, there’s hope for you yet.
By making cooking more mindful, it can also be more enjoyable.
Amongst your cookbooks and appliances, there is stillness and connection in your kitchen. Cooking is a moving meditation that requires focus and attention to ensure that a tasty meal is the end result. At the very least, a cooking meditation will help you from inflicting wounds or burns.
The next time you have a recipe to conquer, or even just the desire to create, set your ingredients out. This is about your relationship with your food at every level.
Each meal you make can be a way of corresponding more deeply with the world around you and ultimately, with yourself.
Smell each ingredient before you add it in.
If applicable, feel its texture – the softness of flour, the crisp edges of cauliflower florets.
Each addition is a ritual, opening up to the potential of stillness.
Be patient with the process, whether you’re waiting for water to boil or kneading bread.
Enjoy the smells, the sights, the feeling.
Each time you’re pulled into your head or find yourself doing the task mindlessly, remind yourself (re-MIND). Try not to think about what’s “next,” like setting the table or even tomorrow’s meal. Be with the relaxing and rhythmic process of preparing food.
Stay in the moment and imbue your food with the intention you have for the meal you are making.
It may taste better in the end, merely by your mental concentration.
Bon appétit!
