THE KITCHEN
a meditation on salt
From the water of the ocean to the shakers on our dining tables, salt is a staple. It has been such an important fixture throughout civilization that it served as currency in ancient times (hence the word "salary"), and nearly every culture is marked with myths and religious beliefs that praise salt for its ability to maintain purity and ward off evil. The Bible even goes as far to say that we are the salt of the earth and that we should not lose our saltiness.
A dear friend of mine recently described salt as "subtle and differentiating." Isn't that lovely? How might we fulfill the calling to be like salt? How do we add ourselves to the world *just enough* that we improve upon the dish? Experience tells me that sharing too much of ourselves to the world puts our own inner mystery at stake. Though we characterize entire oceans as "salt water," salt accounts for just 3.5% of the ocean's H2O. A mere pinch of it can make or break a baking formula. It is a preservative, it is flavorful, and it must give of itself in exactly the right dosage to be effective. May we be more like salt.
the kitchen
is for creativity.
for contemplation:
In what ways have you been creative with your own life—working with the ingredients you have to whip up the best possible dish?
Imagine being playful in the kitchen, cooking or baking something without consulting a recipe. What would you create?
Whose creativity do you admire most, in the kitchen or otherwise, and how might that inspire you in concrete ways?
What flavors and scents from the kitchen bring back your most meaningful memories? Take a moment to savor those memories.