My stomach is my compass for how I feel about the world and how the world lives in me. I have had two immense Thanksgiving meals in the last few days. Surrounded by friends and family, my eyes and mouth have taken in beautiful dishes of homemade local greens, potatoes, yams, meat and cheese.
I want to be hungry, but something in the pit of me, can’t let go of the gaunt faces of children in countries all over the world that are starving.
I eat slowly. My plate overfull with deeply delicious offerings my beloveds have created. My fork rises to my mouth. Such a simple unconscious act, yet slowed down becomes a prayer for the world. A prayer rooted in gratitude. I am practicing gratitude one mouthful at a time. It’s the only way my stomach will accept this bounty, while hunger twists in the bellies of so many.
Can I keep swallowing without forgetting this crisis laden, collapsing world? To move beyond my white ancestors greed infused denial of the suffering of others, I must keep hunger in mind, fear in mind, grief in mind, and chew slowly.
I feel as if I am swallowing the world. I am asking my body and mind to pay attention to the biggest picture I can muster. The table before me is laden with wealth far beyond the dreams of millions. We have just passed 8 billion humans on this little planet. All are eating mouth fulls of this place, day after day. I am one of them. My mouth, my desire, my privilege, eats of the world and in turn I become the world.
My cells take note as distended eyes, mass shootings, dying species, falling forests, plastic infested waters, and disease, pass through me. My bones shudder with gratitude for shelter, warmth, water, food, and a loving community.
I am digesting these precious days, the sweet pies and rich gravy, the laughter and the hugs, the horrors, lies, and deception.
Conscious digestion is a form of alchemy. Taking in the pain of the world creates energy in the body that is tempered by the truth of suffering. I feel sure that evil has something to do with undigested realities. What we can’t stomach we reject, destroy or vilify. When we look away from the pain and those who are causing harm we deny ourselves and the world the rich energy of conscious loving action.
I can feel that my predominantly white wealthy world is long overdue for a proper partaking of the world as it is, rather than the magazine version of what recipes will dazzle at the holiday table.
Let us set the table with the truth of our times. I want to sit with you, and eat slowly, letting the salt of our tears bring clarity to each bite. I have hope that when we rise our bodies will vibrate with a courageous sharing of wealth, work, and wisdom with those who need it most.
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