Chop. chop. chop. chop.
Chopping fruits and vegetables is one of my favorite pastimes. I used to do it every weekend to make salads and such for the week. Now I do it to make baby food as well. That is not a competitive mommy statement; there are plenty of things I don't do for my child that other parents seem to be able to achieve. No, as nice as it sounds to say that I make her baby food out of my love for her, the truth is I just like chopping vegetables.
Years ago, I practiced yoga. I liked sweating and trembling and feeling all of my muscles working at once, but with each contortion, I knew the end of the class drew near. The end, meaning the quiet meditative time when you lie still and feel your breath. I hated that part. I said the alphabet and counted and sang songs in my head (and fell asleep a couple of times), but I certainly didn't meditate. Clearing my head without distracting my body has proven impossible. But a clear head and a calm heart don't have to come from sitting cross-legged.
I find inner peace and complete clarity in two endeavors: running and chopping. Running has been a part of my life for a long time, though it's been difficult post-baby. Sliding my shoes on, lacing them up, I can feel the muscles in my shoulders, where I keep all my stress, unclench and begin to relax. I don't have to distract myself with a mileage watch or an ipod (though I own both of those). Running has its own music if you listen.
My other source of pure contentment is chopping fruits and vegetables. I don't mean cooking, though I enjoy that. Cooking requires thought and creativity and being on your toes. Chopping is simple and repetitive, like running, and it requires consistency and practice. The ritual of sharpening the knife and washing the vegetables. The comfort in performing the same movement over and over until piles of perfectly diced cubes grow across the counter. The rainbow.
All of this probably sounds a bit loony, and when I lose my mind I'll likely be found chopping mountains of vegetables. But I think a lot of people find satisfaction in ritual and repetition. The meditative state can be found anywhere, even in the simplest activities. How do you meditate?
It doesn't sound loony to me, I get it sometimes it's a relief to just do something simple when we live in complex times.
ReplyDeleteIt doesn't sound loony to me, I get it sometimes it's a relief to just do something simple when we live in complex times.
ReplyDeleteI like the way you start with chopping, then show your move from yoga not producing meditation to running and chopping, which do. It's a nice setup and progression of thoughts.
ReplyDeleteI too enjoy chopping, whether it's vegetables or garlic and ginger -- and I do love to cook as well, so all that chopping is going to go into some lovely dish. Like the Moroccan Chickpea Stew with Chard (courtesy the New York Times, google it) recently. Lots of vegetables, garlic, and ginger to chop, dice, mince, and spices to measure out, lining everything up on the counter so it all went into the pot at the right time. Meditative while chopping, focus while cooking, and pleasure while eating.
Wow. I love this. I love the title and I love the actions connected to the title. And I laughed when you talked about Shivasina (not spelled right). That was my favorite time in a yoga class. I am also laughing, because many of my posts this round of March challenge has been that of meditation and quiet space. I think we might balance each other out. Happy chopping.
ReplyDeleteRitual and repetition have helped me relax. Sitting by the fire first thing in the morning is a quiet way to start my day.
ReplyDeletePerhaps I will try chopping vegetables, I usually just run my celery and carrots through the automatic slicer.
The repetition of the first four words is a fun way to illustrate your main point.
Ritual and repetition have helped me relax. Sitting by the fire first thing in the morning is a quiet way to start my day.
ReplyDeletePerhaps I will try chopping vegetables, I usually just run my celery and carrots through the automatic slicer.
The repetition of the first four words is a fun way to illustrate your main point.
I get the same zen like feeling from cooking and reading. Both things which I have let go recently. I knew I had an issue when I went for a massage (gift from the husband for my birthday) and I couldn't sit 20 minutes in the sauna in quiet without feeling antsy. jmcarroll7
ReplyDeleteI get the same zen like feeling from cooking and reading. Both things which I have let go recently. I knew I had an issue when I went for a massage (gift from the husband for my birthday) and I couldn't sit 20 minutes in the sauna in quiet without feeling antsy. jmcarroll7
ReplyDeleteAnd there is a sense of accomplishment in the task of chopping.
ReplyDeleteI love the line, "when I lose my mind I'll likely be found chopping mountains of vegetables". Made me chuckle!
I've never thought about meditating while cooking. Hmmm... I need to prepare dinner right now so I'm going to try to be more present while I do it thanks to your slice of life.
ReplyDeleteI love that we both wrote about food today! Rick admired your perfect cubes there: good chopping! There is calm in the kitchen and from repetitive motion... now if only I could find running relaxing. : )
ReplyDelete