Is cooking good for the soul?

When I was a little girl, I would sometimes watch my grandmother cook. She was one of the best cooks I knew and always seem to have a smile on her face whenever she was cooking. I remember one time asking her why she was smiling and she told me “because cooking is good for the soul, child.” As I grew up and began to cook for my family I would often remember that conversation that I had with my grandmother and the smile that she had on her face when she cooked.

The wise people in the world say that cooking is good for the soul because it is a spiritual thing to do. It is a way to thank and show appreciation to the Divine for the food that we have to eat. When we cook for others, the experience of cooking becomes an even more profoundly spiritual thing to do. In many cultures cooking is a sacred experience and mindfulness on the food is adhered to while cooking by not talking but rather praying in silence and even pausing to give thanks while chopping, peeling or stirring. This is believed to assist with cultivating a selfless intention and being honorable and respectful for the gift of food from the Divine.

When we cook in a joyful and peaceful state of mind, we bring the essence of that into the food that we are preparing. It is wonderful to integrate mindfulness and love into the experience of cooking because it deepens the cooking experience and enhances the quality and flavor of the food. It is because of this awareness that we are able to cultivate a unique experience each time we cook a meal.

When a person cooks a meal for another they are practicing what we call in Ayurveda, Seva. Seva is a Sanskrit word referring to the practice of serving others with no expectation of reward or recognition. Practicing Seva helps us see that every person is an aspect of the Divine therefore any action that benefits others, no matter how menial is a service to the Divine.

Kitchens are often the most used, best-loved room in the house. They possess a gravitational pull that brings together friends and family, labor and laughter, sustenance and celebration. That lovableness is often exhibited in the wonderful meals that come out of the kitchen. Most good cooks have the belief that cooking is for whomever you are preparing the meal for and not for the cook. Most cooks understand that being a good cook in the kitchen is a true selfless service and comes from the love of wanting to serve others.

What will you cook today to show your love?

Namaste,

Rochel Marie Lawson, RN,AHP,CMS

The Queen of Feeling Fabulous

International Best Selling Author
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