Expressing Our Gratitude
Mealtime Chant/Blessing
This food is a gift of the whole universe- the earth, the sky, and much hard work.
May I live in a way that makes me worthy to receive it
May I transform my unskillful mind states, especially greed
May I take only foods that nourish my body and support wellness
May I receive this food as a path to love and understanding
I am writing this as we begin to celebrate the year-end holidays. As winter and soon the new year approach, it is common practice to reflect on where we have been and what we are grateful for in our lives. To this end, I wanted to offer you this mealtime gratitude chant, or maybe it is better called a blessing. This blessing is dear to my heart and has been part of my life since attending a Zen retreat in the early 2000s.
Appreciating food is a beautiful way of expressing gratitude for the bounty Mother Nature bestows upon us. Before we sit for a meal, can we pause and reflect? Can we feel the sentiment that this food IS a gift from the whole universe? Can we look toward the sky and be grateful for the sun's warmth? Can we imagine the moisture held in the clouds, waiting for just the right moment to send us rain that at one time was flowing in our creeks and rivers and washing against the shores of our oceans and, in due time, will continue its cycle? Can we touch the soil that held the vegetables and supported their growth? Can we thank all the pollinators, such as the squash and hibiscus bees, the 18 kinds of bumble bees, the beetles, flower flies, wasps, and butterflies? Can we imagine all the humans who worked to grow and harvest the foods that now fill our plates? Can we breathe compassion for the back-breaking work and the long hours of tending the soil that many humans logged? What about all the people who carried our food on the journey and the people who designed and built the trucks and trains that escorted the collards, squash, beans, rice, and potatoes before they reached our mouths? I could go on and on, and in fact, this mealtime blessing can be a practice that grows and grows. The more we recite this blessing with heartfelt gratitude, our curiosity expands. As I write this, I become curious about just how many pollinators there are in our southeastern United States. There are so many! And what about the role of birds in spreading seeds that become the fruits, vegetables, and nuts we enjoy? It’s crazy impressive how it all works!
This mealtime blessing does not stop with inviting us to express our gratitude; it also asks us to turn our gaze inward and take inventory. Living in a way that is “worthy” is a way of asking, “Am I kind to the earth, the insects, the animals, and other humans?” Am I as kind to others as others have been to me? Am I in a circular relationship full of reciprocity, or do I sit at the end of a straight line that is all take and no give? Can I give as others give to me? This part of the blessing invites us to have a loving relationship with all beings. The blessing next asks us to check our greed, desire, and craving habits. Do I take more than I need? Do I fear not having enough? Can I turn toward these habits with compassion and begin to open to another way of being? The blessing ends by calling us to nurture our selves. What are we choosing to eat? Do these foods nourish us in ways that lead to our well-being? Ultimately, can we begin to deeply understand that we are always in a relationship and never do life alone? Interconnectivity is the truth of this existence. Let’s celebrate this reality by living our lives of gratitude and generosity. May we all love and be loved.
