Preparation for this week's Dinner and Divinity began with a trip to Montclair's Saturday farmers market held over at the Walnut Street train station. After perusing the local organic veggies and fruits and selecting some corn, heirloom cherry tomatoes, fresh basil and a host of other delicious picks, Tanja and I got to work preparing for D&D. We wanted to get the baking and oven usage out of the way so our apartment could be as cool as possible once everyone had arrived. (Nonetheless, our apartment was still quite hot!) So, what did we prepare? Well, we created two delectable quiche concoctions - 1. a standard broccoli cheese quiche and 2. a bacon-basil-tomato quiche. Both were delicious. (Sadly, I didn't get any pictures of them). We also made home made pico de gallo, a large salad with grilled chicken breast, gallo pinto (a rice and beans dish) and a banana bread loaf. Phew. That kitchen was rocking!
All prepared, friends started to arrive. And with them, the desserts came flooding in - cheesecake, cake, pastries, fruit! This was not a potluck dinner - it was a potluck dessert! Nonetheless, the food fed the masses and the dessert waited patiently while we got our divinity on.
After some brief introductions from everyone in attendance, I explained the evenings theme - "Shake the Dust." I explained that just a few days before, I had taken a powerful quote and
put it to music - "Thou comest from the world of holines - bind not thine heart to the earth; thou art a dweller in the court of nearness - choose not the homeland of the dust." ~Baha'u'llah
The theme was also based on a conversation from the book "I Am That," where a seeker is told that in order to find out "what one is," one has to discover "what one is not." Jagadisha, from Be Evolution Hot Yoga, further helped the group understand the concept. Lastly, we listened to incredible slam poet, Anis Mojgani, deliver his famous poem on the topic, also titled
"Shake the Dust."After some music, some quotations and reflections, our discussion returned to the main topic. It was pointed out that although we live with many dualities, our true nature is one that is spiritual and noble. Just as darkness is merely the absence of light, so too hate and prejudice are only the absence of love. If we focus on the reality that mankind is
not destined to kill, destroy, dominate, etc, we will find greater strength and assurance that we can attain our true selves and continue to rise up beyond the dust.
I hope that gives you a sense of the evening's discussion. Here are some photos to conclude this week's recap.
See you next time - Saturday, August 7th, 7pm!
Enjoying some "appetizing" homemade pico de gallo.
Jamie and his daughter Rhiannon.
Introductions and discussion.
An official group shot - tripod and all!
Atridad, Robert, Kate
We also had home-made salsa fresco and chips.
Post dinner conversation and discussion.
