Blessing

Glinda writes:

Taking nourishment is a fundamental act essential to our living and being. In our high speed lives arising out of Western Euro-centric culture, we seldom reflect on it. We just grab our food and go. Looking more closely, we see some basic sacrifices support our being. Furthermore, in taking that nourishment which is an act of giving, we rarely think what might be expected of us in return. I believe that taking time to honor that exchange is important. It stops the whirr of my life and grounds me in a conscious act of living.

Years ago, I came across a blessing in Earth Prayers from around the World (Roberts and Amidon) and later participated in trainings at Upaya which used the same blessing. This blessing comes from a Buddhist tradition and is credited to the Ojai School in California. While it comes from a Buddhist tradition, it is appropriate across faith traditions. All faith traditions and languages are welcome at our table; if others have blessings to share, they are welcome. For those without a spiritual walk, the words present an interesting analysis of what has made the food.

As each meal begins, we talk about where the food comes from. We try to eat locally, including growing as much of our food as possible. We take delight in seeing these simple yet profound connections. We look at the food, paying attention to the energy present and recognizing that this food is soon to become us. We hold hands in circle around the table and together we say the blessing. It goes like this (which is slightly modified from the version I had heard earlier).

Earth, Water, Air and Fire

combined to make this food.

Numberless beings died

and gave their labor

that we may eat.

May we eat so that

we may also nourish life.

Top Photo: Richard fixed us breakfast omelets and sausage just before the Christmas holiday. The carrots, salsa (which he had made and canned earlier from the garden), dried herbs, and eggs from our hennies were all from this little farm. Yum!