Reawaken
The Ecological Self to Sacred Food
Resensitize
The concept of the ecological self serves as a conduit for the voice of the planet and its inhabitants. The profound healing potential within society emerges when human behavior harmonizes with the natural rhythms of the Earth. Coined by Arne Naess, the founder of the Deep Ecology Movement, this philosophy finds relevance across diverse earth-based traditions. Throughout history, various cultures have revered the more-than-human world, recognizing food as a fundamental human right for millennia. The current environmental crisis stems from our inability to inspire diverse individuals to think and act cooperatively for shared interests. The ecological self acknowledges the disharmony in Earth's systems and strives for transformative change. By drawing upon teachings and interpretations found in ancient yogic texts, we can shed light on the sacredness of food in relation to the ecological self. This process illustrates how insights from traditional earth-based perspectives can enrich and guide modern society.
“The whole Universe is the effect of the interaction of food and life, or matter and
energy, which are respectively food and the eater of food.” - Praśhna Upaniṣhad
Undernourished People by Country
To truly appreciate the nourishment we receive, we must first recognize the plight of those who suffer from hunger. This acknowledgment forms the foundation of gratitude that accompanies our meals. Gratitude, in turn, becomes the catalyst for meaningful activism, allowing us to not only honor our own struggles but also empathize with the suffering of others. Through the lens of collective consciousness, the ecological self begins to manifest and mobilize. Cultivating a sense of compassion, particularly for genuine human suffering, illuminates the true purpose of prayer. This is why we express thanks before partaking in a meal. With compassion, this transcends mere ritual; it becomes a profound acknowledgment of our interconnectedness. With compassion this is more than just another chart.
In an ethical society food is accessible to all. But hunger disproportionately affects woman and children on a global scale. In just the U.S. alone 34 million people are food insecure; 9 million of which are children. That’s more than the population of citizens that live in the entire city of New York. This is what hunger looks like on a global scale.
Starting
From Scratch
Anna अन्न: Food
Dāna दान: Giving; charitable acts support humanity
Annadāna अन्नदान: The generosity of Food
Embark on this cooking meditation as you select a meal that resonates with your nourishment desires. Immerse yourself in a deliberate pace, attuned to the rhythm of your body's movements and breath. Allow your culinary creation to unveil its profound message to you.
Guided Cooking Meditation:
Sacred Food Awakening
Nicole Mathurā
A real life human bean ♡
A message from your guide Nicole
Kitchen Witch, Gardener, Healer/Doula, Artist, &
Earth Conscious Children’s Book Author
This practice I share with you is my prayer in the kitchen.
I hold the belief that our energy possesses a profound and sacred power. To foster change in the world, it is imperative to recalibrate our awareness towards compassion. The practices I share draw inspiration from the philosophical-religious texts of Hinduism, as well as insights from contemporary perspectives such as ecopsychology, ecophilosophy, and the deep ecology movement.
I developed this meditation guide upon recognizing the uniqueness of my healing journey through gardening and cooking. As an individual of Indo-Caribbean heritage with an American education, I've found that delving into the philosophy of yoga serves as a powerful and reconnective method for ancestral healing and decolonization. It allows me to tap into the wisdom traditions of my closest earth-based relatives from India.
Relevant Coursework
Nāropa University
Food Justice
Ecopsychology
Deep Ecology
Field Ecology
Psychology of the Five Elements
Yoga History Theory Philosophy
Spirituality and Creative Expression
Indian Devotional Raga Singing
Environmental
Justice
Internship at The BoCo Climate Justice Hive @ The Joanna Macy Center
Meditation As Activism
Small acts of mindfulness in our daily lives can transform and heal difficult psychological states. Inner peace and peace on Earth share a common essence. Peace is subtle and sweet, the mundane moments are miracles too.
The key ingredients to the recipe
“From food (Anna), verily, creatures are produced. Whatsoever (creatures) dwell on the earth…for truly, food is the chief of beings — beings here are born from food, when born they live by food, on deceasing they enter into food.”
- Taittirīya Upaniṣhad
Recognizing the intricate systems and interconnected nature of the entirety reflects Dāna, an altruistic dimension of humanity. Through the lens of the ecological self, it becomes imperative to lead a spiritual life, actively participate in Earth preservation, harmonize with the natural rhythms, and contribute proactively to social justice efforts.
Big agriculture is a product of the Empire. The world can escape impending ecological disaster, partly caused by big agriculture, only by embracing a political and ethical transformation that will imbue modern societies with the same shared sense of emotional rationality practiced by traditional cultures. As we reframe our society we can return to more sustainable practices of food.
There are many people in poverty around the world with nothing to eat. When I grow my own food and eat I know I am fortunate. I can feel compassion for those without food. Eating with this knowing in heart is a deep practice we do not need a transmission for. This can be done at your dinner table.
Food is a gift from the people whose hands it passed through to reach the table; it is a gift from the animals who sometimes unwillingly sacrifice their bodies for our nourishment; food is life.
“The entrancement with industrial civilization must be considered as a profound cultural disorientation. It can be dealt with only by a corresponding deep cultural therapy. At such a moment a new revelatory experience is needed, an experience wherein human consciousness awakens to the grandeur and sacred quality of the Earth process. This awakening is our human participation in the dream of the Earth, the dream that is carried in its integrity not in any of Earth's cultural expressions but in the depths of our genetic coding.” - Bill Plotkin, Nature and the Human Soul
Eco - Oikos (Greek) meaning House/Family Unit
Psyche - Psykhe (Greek) meaning Soul, Mind, Spirit
Ecopsychology is a field of study that explores the relationship between human well-being and the health of the Earth. It integrates principles from psychology and ecology to understand how the natural environment and human psychology are interconnected. The central premise of ecopsychology is that the well-being of individuals and the health of the planet are intricately linked, and disruptions in the natural environment can have profound effects on human mental health.For some individuals, ecopsychology can evoke a sense of spiritual connection with the Earth. This spiritual dimension may include a deep love and reverence for the natural world, viewing it as sacred. This spiritual perspective can influence one's ethical choices and behaviors in alignment with a loving relationship with the Earth.
The Work that Reconnects
by Joanna Macy
These practices show us how to strengthen our capacity to face this poly-crisis so that we can respond with resilience and creative power. This is where holistic science, and spirituality meets.
Click on Joanna to be guided to the school for The Great Turning where you can deepen your reconnective process.
“ If the world is to be healed through human efforts, I am convinced it will be by ordinary people; people whose love for this life is even greater than their fear.” - Joanna Macy
Honorable Inspirations
Thich Nhat Hanh
A transformative meditation found on page 23, titled "Eating Meditation," has become a regular part of my routine. Thich Nhat Hanh skillfully brings attention to the multifaceted nature of our food and its potential for profound revelation.
A collection of Essays
This anthology, authored by ecological trailblazers, delves into the spiritual dimensions of our environmental crisis. It underscores the essential role of a spiritual response in restoring harmony between our entire being and the Earth.
Alice Waters
This book showed me how to eat seasonally, locally, and sustainably sourced food. Alice Waters transforms the notion of a secret ingredient, emphasizing that the true essence lies in the quality of the food itself.
One Pot: A Short Film
These images were taken from moments in my life, offering glimpses into the cherished beauty of my garden ♡
Let’s Connect
Get in touch or follow me on social media.
Social
@themuseofmeow - Art
@foodhealingwoman
This work was completed on the lands of the Ute, Arapaho, and Cheyenne peoples.