Parveen Vohra

Whatever you do or consume, think of Krishna or Allah, (or your notion of God, or a holy higher power or supreme power).  Inspired by ancient Indian literature including the Gita, I work to offer my actions in this way.  This is contemplation through meditative action or meditation in cooking.

The most recent action involved an involvement in a cooking book club, Recipe Readers, at my local library. On a monthly basis we share in the cooking of a recipes from a selected cookbook.  Most recently, I have lovingly prepared Vegetarian Chili and Indian Cauliflower and vegetable Curry.  The preparation was done with compassion and generosity.  

My preparations of meals for potluck or for my spouse or guests involve the cooking experience and anything I may have learned from my family including my mother, who is now in her 80s.   Shraddha is living in what we love or a faith in action.  I back this with my time, energy and actions.  I have beliefs in the spiritual nature of all things.  

For example, as I prepare Green apple curry with Tempeh I will be mindful of the onion, chili peppers, garlic and ginger I may chop or cut or mince.  I am mindful of the scents and physical properties and the offering this will make to the meal.   I include the understanding of the preparation including the heating of the oil (rather than Ghee due to Vegan practice) and the heating of the tomatoes and spices including turmeric, fenugreek, cloves, chili powder, cardamom, cinnamon and cumin among others.  Adding fresh tomatoes and chilis from a local farmer’s market or from my garden that I may tend is a love within the dish.  With gratitude and appreciation of each ingredient, I prepare the meal thinking of those who may engage in the enjoyment of the meal, generating vitality in others.

As a conscious decision to prefer tempeh versus goat, lamb or any meats, I have made change in my life. I have sought to make efforts not to harm animals in my preparation of the dish.  The unity of life can be displayed as the ingredients I have chosen to marry together.

The beauty of the dishes and the color may be shared by a picture prepared:

Realize how that which we take in will become pervasive within the universe.  Life begets life and it manifests within us.  The emotion and the satisfaction of those with whom I share expresses this realization.