Day # 7

I did it! When I hit publish for this entry, I completed the challenge I set for myself; posting every day for 7 days straight.

I feel a deep sense of calm and peace at this moment, having just watched an episode of Chef's table about 60-year old, Jeong Kwan, an exceptional chef and Zen Buddhist nun in South Korea. I noticed it was one of the episodes I had previously skipped over in the queue. I was about to skip it again tonight but in the spirit of embracing the thing I am curious about but feels scary and too different, I decided to hit play-- so glad I did. 

Something about the quiet, intentional simplicity of her life was comforting. Here are some of her words that spoke to me:

A question she raised, How do you change yourself with temple food, even if you're not a monk? 

The very action of progressing with the greatest passion, the greatest energy is a kind of enlightenment. I am working with a great passion and energy but also without consistency and peace which feels far from enlightenment. 

Creativity and ego (self/selfishness) cannot go together. If you free yourself from the comparing and jealous mind, your creativity opens up endlessly. Just as water springs from a fountain, creativity springs from every moment. You must not be your own obstacle. I am my own obstacle. 

You must not be owned by the environment you are in. You must own the environment, the phenomenal world around you. You must be able to freely move in and out of your mind. This being free, there is no way you can't open up your creativity. There is no ego to speak of. That is my belief. 

Be in the present. (We must learn) how to be happy in the process. 

Root of her philosophy, cooking, and life: An orchestra. Every part working together. 

A blissful mind

I choose to meditate on these wise words tonight, instead of my own. I am finishing this up at 11:29pm but don't feel rushed or frazzled at all. Huh. Strange... but miraculous.