I was standing around with some neighbors–all masked, but needing to say hello. When getting into political discussion with a neighbor who seems to think there might be a return to “normal,” I happened to glance up and notice how beautiful was the sky.
A mat is, of course, completely unnecessary, though I like to use them. Maitri kept joining me on my mat. Now that no people can come over to practice, I decided Maitri could have her own mat.
Last Monday I had the honor and delight to be invited to a multigenerational dinner of homemade dumplings at a neighbor’s house.
I was told it was customary for guests to shape a share of the dumplings; the hosts do everything else. As I have not grown up making dumplings as part of group family activity, that meant I needed first to be shown what to do with the already made dough and filling.
Skills used to make homemade noodles, tortillas, and pizza helped make dumpling shaping an accessible activity. It was tricky at first. Two people were showing me two different ways, which was somewhat confusing in an enjoyable way, and helped emphasize that for friendly dumpling making, ultimately, everyone needs to find their own method that works for them. Also, as with many hand skills, because it was the first first time I was being shown, I was simultaneously transposing it from right to left-handed.
It only took two tries to get a dumpling that wouldn’t explode in the pot and lose its filling. It took several more to make one that had nice pleats and blended in with the rest.
We had an interesting discussion about the difference between learning by eating several variations and then reading several recipes and then trying to replicate a version that resembled what I had eaten prepared by someone who learned from childhood as part of a multigenerational group process.
I have long contemplated, and continue to do so, how my comfort in learning anything from a book and then seeing if I can do it or something like it, has shaped my meditation and movement practices.
It’s pretty easy to see which dumplings I made. No difference in taste. I was also happy to contribute garlic chives from the garden.
At the White House, January 29
As remembrances and articles of 9/11 start to proliferate in anticipation of the tenth anniversary, I thought I would share this work of art that has become part of my work neighborhood. Change comes from all action, and even the most horrific things can bring small joys in unexpected ways.
Peace and light, E — Posted with WordPress for BlackBerry.
