Dinner and Divinity - May 19th - Knowledge

With the last day we had before leaving for a two week trip to Finland and Norway, Tanja and I decided to host our twice monthly Dinner and Divinity. We absolutely love opening our home and watching our community of friends grow. You may enter as a stranger, but I promise you this, you will leave as a friend.

Earlier in the day, Tanja and I went over to Alma's from TakeBackTheKitchen and shot a little food preparation video for her blog. We decided to make our favorite salad - a cranberry pear goat cheese salad, tossed in a nice balsamic vingerette. The video went great and will be up her blog sometime next week. We served the salad at our dinner and it was a hit as usual.

After dinner, we gathered together for some music, a short story, and some interfaith devotions. We had little drummers (ages 4 and 5) who did a great job of keeping the beat! The story we read as a group was about Majnun and Layli, the folktale of two lovers, lost in separation. As Majnun is being chased by the police, cursing them and their injustice, trapped, he climbs over a wall and lands in the Layli's garden. Reunited with his love, he blesses and prays for the policeman, recognizing that this test was leading him to his desire. Therefore, we should see the "end in the beginning" and know that difficulties that cut us, are making space for our joy to fill us.

Here are some photos from the evening. See you next time, Saturday, June 12th - 7pm.

Kate, Josh and Nicky

Dinner: Mashed potatoes, salmon, broccoli bake, canjun chicken drumsticks and the aforementioned salad.

Broccoli bake - it's like a quiche with out the crust! The recipe is here.

Reza, Atridad and Arvin

Andrea, Greg and Jada

Josh and Kate. Okay, enough posing. Hasta luego!

Dinner and Divinity - April 30th - Reflections on the Soul

After a delicious dinner of lasagna and salad, Hayden led the divinity portion of this week's gathering. Hayden shared that just as our eyes developed in the womb to be used in this world, so too are our souls developing for a non-physical existence. Here is one of the quotations we discussed:

"In the beginning of his human life man was embryonic in the world of the matrix. There he received capacity and endowment for the reality of human existence. The forces and powers necessary for this world were bestowed upon him in that limited condition. In this world he needed eyes; he received them potentially in the other. He needed ears; he obtained them there in readiness and preparation for his new existence. The powers requisite in this world were conferred upon him in the world of the matrix...

Therefore in this world he must prepare himself for the life beyond. That which he needs in the world of the Kingdom must be obtained here. Just as he prepared himself in the world of the matrix by acquiring forces necessary in this sphere of existence, so likewise the indispensable forces of the divine existence must be potentially attained in this world."

This wonderful evening was capped off with some music and dessert. See you next time!

Hayden guiding the discussion

Jeff and Mo the Monkey hanging out

John and Nassim from Caldwell

Naseem and Tanja

Me and the adorable Valentin. :)

Dinner and Divinity - April 16th - Artistic Peace

This weeks D&D was an artistic evening. After a delicious dinner of shrimp fried rice, an asian salad and falafel and homemade tahini, we gathered together to create some music and share some wisdom. Afterward, we spent about 20 minutes making "peace pledges" for our peace banner. Then, we tied them together and hung them up in our hallway. It's still there today! :)

Towards the end of the night, a friend of mine, Alma, shared with us some information about a fundraiser that is being held for the Montclair Public Schools in June. It'll be an afternoon potluck / concert. "Dinner and Divinity" will be joining the event and spreading the word. The event is in conjuction with two of Alma's projects which you can check out. One, is a cooking blog: www.TakeBackTheKitchen.com and the second, a non-profit run by Montclair parents / musicians: www.ParentsWhoRock.com

Check out the photos from the night and we hope to see you at the next Dinner and Divinity, April 30th.

Dinner is served.

Jagadisha, rocking the dejembe.

Nicky and Ally

Jen busting some riffs.

Working on our "peace pledges."

Alma's delicious, homemade, chocolate, oatmeal thingys.

Hayden and Valentin sharing a calm moment.

And Jeff and Valentin sharing a joyous one.

Our Peace Banner!

Dinner and Divinity - April 3rd - One Giant Leap

After one of the most plentiful dinners we've ever had at a Dinner and Divinity, we gathered together to watch two sections from an amazing dvd called "One Giant Leap." Using film, music and interviews, the makers created a powerful and uniting experience. Check out the trailer below:

A second 'One Giant Leap' film has come out. We're hoping to get it soon.

Lastly, here are some photos from the wonderful evening:

Our AMAZING dinner. :)

Catching up.

Cute couple #1

Cute couple #2

Cute couple #3... Can you tell they've been here before?

Post D&D hanging out and playing with our new cat Wink!

Dinner and Divinity - March 19th - The New Year

On Friday, March 19th, we gathered for a D&D celebrating the New Year (the Persian and Baha'i New Year) and the first day of Spring. The evening began with a bounteous Fast-breaking dinner. We had salad, tabbouleh, chicken corn chowder, sesame noodle salad and lots of chicken (thanks to all those who brought some dishes!) After dinner, we sang and played music, shared some interfaith gems of wisdom, and refreshed and prepared ourselves for the coming year.

Friends, may this next year of your lives bring you new blessings, friends and experiences. Happy Spring!

This is Atridad and he rocks. He's easily the coolest 4 and a half year old I know. :D

This is Ally and she rocks. She's easily the coolest 19 year old I know. :D

Reza (Atridad's dad) and my dad sharing some stories.

Arvin (Atridad's Mom) and my mom sharing some stories. :)

Raspberry topped lemon loaf. AMAZING. :)

See you next time!

One Year of Dinner and Divinity

March 2009 - March 2010. Happy Birthday D&D!

Dinner and Divinity - March 5th - Fast Breaking

For the first time in history... Dinner and Divinity was held at an earlier time! Why? Well, since the Baha'i Fast is going on and the sun sets at 6pm, we gathered together to eat and break the Fast. We had baked chicken brocolli pasta, salad, and friend chicken for dinner and music and singing for divine dessert. Check out photos from the night. Our next D&D Fast Breaking dinner will be March 19th at 7pm. Hope to see you there.

Post dinner hanging out.

:D A blinding flash?

Me and T's new glasses (compared to our teenage ones)