with illeana barcia
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The Circle Of Togetherness
A Plate's Shape
The Buddhist Circle which is also called enso. The meaning of the word is circle. It's a meditative practice that includes using a singular brushstroke technique going in a circle. Your body is supposed to feel light and to just let go. That circle is also sometimes called The Circle Of Togetherness. I am currently in an airport reading a book called A Really Big Lunch by Jim Harrison. He relates a plate to the Buddhist Circle. It is an interesting analogy because it's a circle as well as a circle (plate) that brings togetherness.
The shape of plates today around round, rectangle, triangle, deep, naarow, even ruffed edges. The shape of the plate matters. Why did you buy it? Do you like that shape or style? Did you like the way it will look on your kitchen or restaurants table? There is also a reason why you got it or have it. That meaning will remind you why you put it on the table. It will show off the food picture perfect. It will fit a large amount. Once the food is placed on that plate, it will be satisfy your eyes and your tastebuds. Sitting down eating duck breast, letting the juice fall all over the creamy polenta or parsnip puree. The juice drip alone opens up a discussion. No phones, no TV, just food and conversation. In the Middle Ages they used to have stale bread used as a plate. Some would cut a bigger piece and slice a little bit through the middle and make it into a bowl. The staler the better it was so the more sturdy the "plate" is. So from stale bread to what we have now, the transition over the years has improved don't you think?
A plate placed a on table with others near it or next to it already expresses that it will either 1. Be a good meal or 2. An even better meal while being surrounded with good company. Have you ever been to a restaurant and on your way there you think about the interesting topics or discussions you could be having while enjoying your food? You could just be talking about food, drinks, sex, debates on which method is better to cook a steak, cast iron vs grill. Honestly, once among other people with food and drinks there is no way it lasts less than 3-4 hours (or all night for that matter). I think the message with food goes far back as tradition and culture. It is passed on from generation to generation. Don't throw away that recipe your grandmother gave you. Because 99.9% it was from her grandmother. Before that though her grandmother got it from her mother and then her mother got it from her mother. You catch my drift. It starts with the plate.
The point is, it matters what the shape of that plate is, it matters what goes on that plate and it matters who is in your circle.
Divert Your Mind From Food. What?
Ice cream should be enjoyed whenever you feel like having it. Summer or Winter.
