www.theburninghand.com
  • The Beat
  • blog
  • CW Photos
  • Thin
  • Praxis
  • Person
  • Rule
  • Soup
  • Bread
  • Human
  • Contact
  • Rumi
  • The Watcher
  • Heaven-Become
  • Seed Only
  • Dorothy
  • Interior Landscape
  • Subtle River, Subtle Moon
  • Feather
  • Lessons
  • Sabbath-Day
  • Gandhi
  • Hummingbird
  • Meditation

Soup, Art, and Bricklaying

12/21/2013

0 Comments

 
Picture
"The Way of Soup"... is the way of Art, Music, Bricklaying, Teaching, Street Sweeping, Nursing, Poetry, Carpentry, Acting, Silk-Screening... and on and on... when done in a spirit of "surrender, service, and solidarity"...

Every human yearns for a deep sense of meaning and purpose: perhaps most often we "buy" the meaning and purpose told to us by our families... but for some of us, we entered this world with, seemingly, question marks embedded in our brains: "why why why and why not and what if?" And so we take off in search for our way...

My search led to Soup: a Kitchen serving the hungry, homeless, and marginalized of Salinas... it took years and years for my consciousness to evolve to the point of understanding that the initial impulse "to do good", while a starter, was really beside the point. It took years of cooking, serving, and loving and losing, for me to enter the second phase of "service": which is surrender: the "I" that kept showing up was called -- not just to cook -- but to be cooked! Oh, to be sure, I didn't jump into the soup pot, but I was nevertheless "cooked"! There, right there, in the simmering soup, rolling with the undulating vegetables, were pieces of my ego, along with my heart and soul... like the mysterious meld of long-simmered vegetables, the person "being cooked" loses that primal sense of separation and slowly, steadily, enters the sublime state of "no separation": "I am You, You are Me, and We are All Together" in the Mystic Soup of Only One... Then server and served are each and both: no difference... then, server and served, are about the way of mutual liberation...

Service and surrender must necessarily lead to "solidarity": if "I am You, You are Me, and We are All Together" then: here come the questions again: only this time, on real Overload! Feeding the hungry requires knowing why people are without food. Sheltering people requires knowing why people are without homes. Listening to people requires knowing why people break in life. Empathy and compassion are meant to trigger solidarity: why do the systems of Power not serve and liberate instead of obfuscate and oppress? Why do the systems of Power not place all Power at the service of people and this precious blue Planet instead of the worship Greed and Domination? Why do the systems of Power control every aspect of economics, politics, and religion: so that a few people are able to concentrate Wealth and the Wrongful Exercise of Power into a very few hands? These questions, along with a multitude of others, are like the salt, pepper, and herbs that render the soup finally delicious: and the cook has been "cooked" and is now the embodiment of solidarity...

"The Way of Soup" is the Way of Music, Art, Bricklaying, and every other means of living "service, surrender, and solidarity": everyone is worthy of leading the rEvolution! The transformation that we are all needing -- and worthy of: for ourselves, each other, and this precious blue Planet -- also needs us! We've got to be willing to put our toes to the line and enter the "race" of becoming love without limits: the world can't wait for someone else or for another time: our time is now: our Place is wherever we are willing to stand: in Solidarity: we require Justice, Peace, Equality, Harmony, Kindness, Beauty, Opportunity, Reverence, and Liberation for All: now! 

So, are you standing? Are you forming or joining community? Are you leading by circles? Are you walking lightly upon the Planet? Are you becoming the Love you were all along? Sing it out! Raise your voice for all that is good, true, noble, and beautiful in humanity! Surely it is now obvious that we can't wait until tomorrow... 


0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Author

    Robert Daniel Smith was privileged to serve the homeless and marginalized for 30 years in California. He is living now almost within shouting distance of the Twin Cities. He is a poet, artist, writer, and long-time  Companion of the Way still dreaming... 

    ​Recommended Reading:

    ​Son of Man by Andrew Harvey


    ​Be Love Now by Ram Dass

    ​Be Here Now by Ram Dass

    The Rebirthing of God by John Philip Newell

    The Hope by Andrew Harvey

    The Return of the Mother by Andrew Harvey

    ​Creation Spirituality by Matthew Fox

    Loaves and Fishes by Dorothy Day 

    Sacred Pleasure by Riane Eisler

    Occupy Spirituality by Adam Bucko and Matthew Fox

    Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda

    The Self-Aware Universe by Amit Goswami, Ph.D.

    Bhagavad Gita by Eknath Easwaran

    The Wisdom Jesus by Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault

    ​Living the Eternal Way by Rev. Ellen Grace O'Brian

    Listening For The Heartbeat of God by John Philip Newell

    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    September 2010

    RSS Feed

Copyright (c) Michelle Smith   All Rights Reserved  2017
Photos from tejvanphotos, heather aitken, PixFav.com, Rennett Stowe, Never Edit, dsgetch, Jeffrey, spiritchasa, red line highway, luciefly, np&djjewell, Milton Keynes Museum, pmarkham, Wonderlane, Flikkersteph -4,000,000 views ,thank you!, KOREA.NET - Official page of the Republic of Korea, homethods, igo.rs, Daniel Dudek-Corrigan, WarmSleepy, MizGingerSnaps, niiicedave (back from AK USA), rachel_titiriga, neotint, mRio, regan76, Chilanga Cement, Goldmund100, nevil zaveri (thank you for 20+M views:), Sasha Y. Kimel, Evoflash, ianmalcm, National Farm Worker Ministry, CapCase, Larry Lamsa, nathanborror, philozopher, iamathis, keepitsurreal, Elvert Barnes, NASA Goddard Photo and Video, *ErinBrierley*, archer10 (Dennis) 85M Views, Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, recommendgroup3, normalsanik, philwarren, Rod Waddington, Nic's events, edenpictures, ell brown, Eneas, skugga2shadow, PiConsti, matsuyuki, Lucie Bluebird-Lexington, Christiaan Triebert, Kyle Taylor, Dream It. Do It., Schwarzkaefer, K. Kendall, satanoid, Rod Waddington, Adrian Thomson, Rod Waddington, Neon Tommy, Javmorcas, EU Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection, hams37, DigitumDei, Dean Hochman, Rob React, Marion Doss, Celestine Chua, Bold Frontiers, Bobfantastic, Daniel M. Hendricks, The National Guard, micadew, Pero Kvrzica, Pan American Health Organization PAHO, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), Abode of Chaos, zugaldia, jorgemejia, 1nativeTexan, A. Strakey, STUART_BURNS1, Jan Tik, erix!, greensefa, Meanest Indian, miketnorton, eliduke, K. Kendall, willthomas7, Southbank Centre London, fuseboxradio, alden0249, Chuckfranky, **** j a z z z i ***, eliduke, kevin dooley, iz4aks, Loco Steve, U.S. Embassy New Delhi, geckzilla, InSapphoWeTrust, PhotoHenning, Miradas.com.br, srslyguys, otterbeintheatre, Sasha Y. Kimel, Dick Thomas Johnson, justin, cattan2011, Rebecca Harms, ** RCB **, jdg32373, thisisjamesj, Glyn Lowe Photoworks., www.ilkkajukarainen.fi, eugenenoodleman, swong95765, WarmSleepy, scazon, albany_tim, hoyasmeg, austinevan, Easa Shamih (eEko) | P.h.o.t.o.g.r.a.p.h.y, Filipe Moreira, Old Sarge, BlatantNews.com, .shyam., puroticorico, Jim, the Photographer, rajkumar1220, mike.benedetti, Lost Albatross, babasteve, Alex E. Proimos, Falling Heavens, cliff1066™, pixiduc, To Tuscany, Space Ritual, Walt Hubis, qwrrty, Geoff Livingston, nyoin, jeffreyw, Cea., tibchris, Friar's Balsam, Pink Sherbet Photography, Trilok Rangan, cscott2006, Kris Krug, spratmackrel, Celestine Chua, Shashank Mhasawade, AlicePopkorn, mhiguera, waitscm, mikekwaan, Lost Albatross, rajkumar1220, Alan Cleaver, philipmatarese, @jbtaylor, Anosmia, ryPix, Illusive Photography, Beverly & Pack, Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, Paul Lowry, Ben Sutherland, kamshots, National Farm Worker Ministry, k763, Wonderlane, BAMCorp, bm.iphone, QuotesEverlasting, markbyzewski, greensefa, DonkeyHotey, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), VinothChandar, jamarmstrong, Ian W Scott, olcoge, carulmare, eleephotography, rajkumar1220, AlicePopkorn, billy verdin, Melody Campbell, PixFav.com, cyberien 94, symphony of love, Cory Kipa Photography, Mulligan Stu, Jack Heart, creativedc, yummyporky, Liz Henry, beaumontpete, Karen Eliot, Formula_d, cuatrok77, Eneas, Monica Arellano-Ongpin, YIM Hafiz, AlicePopkorn, dalbera, TausP., Song_sing, Duncan~, Ed Coyle Photography, h.koppdelaney, L. N. Batides, oseillo, K. Kendall, omnos, francesco sgroi, akshay moon, popejon2, Waiting For The Word, DeeAshley, rajkumar1220, mira66, NASA Goddard Photo and Video, Jean-Luc Toilet, Morgaine, Јerry, silviostarr, mahalie, jGlidePhotoATL, bixentro, AirHaake, VinothChandar, niyam bhushan, tedeytan, Kıvanç Niş, kevin dooley, secretlondon123, mike 23, christian.greller, OliBac, quinn.anya, goat_girl_photos, yeowatzup, revmags, jlwelsh, doubledareyaa, bberburb, Cea., clkohan, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), garlandcannon (on hiatus), kdinuraj, TheAlieness GiselaGiardino²³, Raphael Goetter, omnos, jeet_sen, rajkumar1220, gbaku, Pink Sherbet Photography, payneshut, timmarshall, cutemosaic.com, Balaji.B, Morgaine, sadeog, DrStarbuck, michaelvito, VinothChandar, Emily Stanchfield, ninja 4 life, Carly & Art, The Jewish Agency for Israel, McD22, Ashok666, Zanastardust, grahamc99, Sharon Mollerus, dental ben, WarmSleepy, Flikkesteph, quinn.anya, h.koppdelaney, Katrin Lorenzen, ernenn, Fairy Heart ♥, Spirit-Fire, Lynda W1, Bob Doran, miheco, micadew, e-strategyblog.com, The Center for Interfaith Relations, Nagarjun, Morgaine, mollyktadams, Marco Gomes, Bennilover, sergei.gussev, U.S. Institute of Peace, symphony of love, waferboard, Abode of Chaos, Br. Christian Seno, OFM, Rod Waddington
  • The Beat
  • blog
  • CW Photos
  • Thin
  • Praxis
  • Person
  • Rule
  • Soup
  • Bread
  • Human
  • Contact
  • Rumi
  • The Watcher
  • Heaven-Become
  • Seed Only
  • Dorothy
  • Interior Landscape
  • Subtle River, Subtle Moon
  • Feather
  • Lessons
  • Sabbath-Day
  • Gandhi
  • Hummingbird
  • Meditation