Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: openings before meals

[pattymara [at] juno.com (pattymara]

Hi Judy, and list, from PattyMara of Tierra Nueva, central CA coast,
Regarding an "opening or ritual" before your future common meals,
I'm wondering what you do *now* at your potlucks/shared meals?  Of
course I'm assuming that if you are ready to move in, your group has
probably shared at least a thousand potluck meals together.  So...what
do you do now?  What rhythm have you found over the past thousand
potlucks?  Just because you are moving into your new homes and will be
sharing meals in your new common house, you are all basically the same
people.  What feels right, now?  

When everybody eventually moves in, there is indeed a 'getting to know
you' phase, and it is a fine opportunity to create new patterns, if you
want to.  I guess I'm saying, do what is familiar to you now, take it
slow.  Try simple gestures of gratitude or "grace" before meals. (or
not) Experiment with the comfort level of the group.  Try a moment of
silence.  See what sticks.   

It may turn out to be the cook's choice, as it is here at Tierra Nueva.
 Sometimes we hold hands and say grace or a simple blessing, led by the
cooks.  Sometimes we don't, we just start the line going, scoop up the
food and dig in.  Once we ate in silence (sort of), and were served a
very simple Zen meal by the children (who reminded us to take off our
shoes too).  Sometimes we have opera or Van Morrison blaring.  If we
are eating food from our community garden, we are especially grateful.
 Cooks choice.  

PattyMara
Tierra Nueva, where I'm helping cook tomorrow (polenta pizza).  The
cooks are leading a conga line dance around the dining room before
dessert is served (Steph's Secret Recipe Congo Bars).


"Truth only exists when it has a host. If you do not invite
another's truth into your den, it will have no place to slumber.  Be
aware; be very aware of the truths that you allow to spend the night in
your heart." 

-- Judy Hecht <judhee [at] yahoo.com> wrote:
Here at CoHo Cohousing in Corvallis, Oregon, we are
busy building and getting ready to move in come
September. It's an exciting time for us as both the
buildings and the community get built. 
As we plan our meal program, we are thinking about the
importance of some kind of opening or ritual before
our meals. I'm thinking that it should be something to
set the meal time apart from the rest of the day and
make it special without being too "religious" for our
diverse group. Any suggestions?
We're also nearing the end of marketing our units with
2 out of 34 units left. There is still an opportunity
to join us here in the beautiful Willamette Valley but
we expect to be full very soon, so it you're thinking
of a move to the northwest check us out soon at
www.cohousing-corvallis.com.

Judy Hecht
CoHo Cohousing

Judy Hecht
CoHo Cohousing
http://www.cohousing-corvallis.com












 
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