savory

BEST- As the 12 year old’s eyes drank in the mound of sushi and sashimi on the Love Boat in front of him, he stated “I am going to focus on eating slowly.” We smiled – empathizing with the lad who often seems to inhale his food, looking at a special treat, and wanting to be polite. A game that L and I play sometimes came to mind, and I asked “What if we really focus on every bite? Really try to feel and taste and savor every mouthful of food that we enjoy tonight? It would be a good exercise in learning to be sensuous.” At the last word, the 14 year old’s interest piqued, and the 12 year old was a tad embarrassed and intrigued by the thought. The 10 year old jumped in, as he often does, with all his being, and as they saw L place a bit of sashimi in his mouth, close his eyes, and start to savor, they watched with interest. 

L opened his eyes, and shared the description “Oh – it starts a bit fishy, similar to the taste of tuna in the can, but the moistness and softness wrap around my mouth, oozing flavor with each chew, a luscious texture, leaving no choice but to languish in its bounty.”

As L finished, the 14 year old waited holding a piece of sushi in his chopsticks, and said “Can I go next?” L and I smiled in wonder and delight at each other, and we started a journey of attentiveness and delight around the table. Each boy and each adult was able to find unique words to express the taste, texture, and technique of savoring. The circle went round and round, until an hour and half later, all the rolls, sushi, and sashimi were gone. The 14 year old delighted in the telling, the 12 year old delighted in the eating, yet found some squirminess in the telling, the 10 year old delighted in the interaction, and I delighted in three boys, following the example of L, and using their senses, to explore sensuality in an age appropriate way.

Sushi is a special treat, Friday night it was fully enjoyed by our community of family.

Today, on the way to meeting for worship, the 12 year old told me he thought the experiment in eating on Friday night was worthwhile and fun, despite his squirminess.

Comments

[L]

Anj,
This was truly a weekend to remember. I loved living and savoring it with you.
LL

[stephanie]

What a delight to read this Anj. There is such connection to how we view food and the soul life.
Thanks for sharing this delectable experience.

[Deb]

Sounds like a wonderful weekend indeed! I just may borrow this idea.

[susie]

i love that you are teaching your boys about sensuality...it is a rich and deep emotion/experience that so often gets lost, misnamed and/or relegated soley to the realm of sexualty, and while they are linked, i believe that sensuality is so much broader an arena, to be experienced in a multitude of arenas.

i have been doing some thinking and writing on desire, sexuality and sensuality, and i may just post some of it as well...you open up a great conversation... (but one that is far too often feared...) thanks;)

[david]

Thank you for helping me learn to live at both ends, in every way. I'm growing up, I'm learning so much. He's using you, and others, to facilitate. I referenced this entry on my blog today, but couldn't figure out this trackback thing. Just wanted you to know. :)