Three Recipes for Magic

1. Village air-conditioning:

When it gets to be 110 degrees and even the wind is hot, the shade is hot, it feels like HOT is the only thing that exists. Still, last years 8 months of hot, I’ve become a functional melter. So today between the hours of 1 and 3:30 I was doing laundry. Not necessarily the best timing, but it was necessary to squeeze it in between a political party (safe in village, just a lot of dancing and music) and transplanting my baby trees/watering my baby veggies. However, by the time I was done I felt a touch on the verge of minor heat exhaustion. By 4:15 I was glad for the warmth of laying on my stomach while the rest of me was cooled by my village air-conditioning system. It’s a really basic, but truly magical system.

Step One: Submerge two pagnes (wrap-skirts) in water bucket, brought to a windy location (yes, it even works in hot wind!) or in front of you fan (thank GOD for electricity.)

Step Two: Wring out one pagne and lay it on the ground. Wring out the other and wear it.

Step Three: Lay down, use your water cup to pour water on your shirt, arms, face, wherever.

Step Four: Chiiillllll out. Periodically, as you dry, re-wet your clothing.

MAGICAL!

2: Mocha Hazelnut Tea Latte

This is totally doable in America too, but exquisitely enjoyable on a hot day in village. See, when I wake up from a nap I often find myself fuzzy, out of it, not sure how to kick myself back into the day. This absolutely does the trick. And the pleasure (in this context at least) is enough to make you blush…

Step one: Pour loose-leaf Mocha Hazelnut Tea given to you by your awesome friend who cleared out her stash to go home to the land of lattes into a kettle. You want more than enough tea for a decent cup, with just enough water to let it swim. Cook for like, 10 minutes, adding water as it boils out to prevent drying, and swishing it all around periodically.

Step two: Mix two tablespoons dried milk and one teaspoon sugar in just enough luke-warm water to create a paste.

Wait.

Step thee: Pour your tea concentrate into the milk-sugar mixture. Mix well. Fill the glass with ice water, and one small chunk of ice.

ENJOY!

Note: I’m already on my second cup today, because I ended up splitting the 1^st one with a the three-year-old Djibi. His first drink was a tiny sip and his reaction was like shock mixed with interest mixed with confusion. What is this new amazing boisson? After about 10 seconds of staring at the cup he asked me for another drink, and chugged about a third of it. Anyway, that’s just a rationalization. I’m straight nosing (noo-sing, to nos is to have fun by eating your money).

3. Read “I AM THAT: Talks with Sri Nisargadatta Maharaj” slowly, deliberately, openly, and play with his suggestions.

That’s the whole recipe for that one. So, it’s this book my brother found and gave to my dad for Christmas, and my dad just sent me a copy. Interestingly enough, the friend who gave me the tea had a copy of this book in her room, but at that particular time, it wasn’t yet time for me to read it. Apparently. Cause I didn’t.

So, why is this a recipe for magic? Well… what can even be said? Those other two things are all playful thought-y stuff. This one is playful non-thoughty stuff, which makes it particularly repugnant for me to try to talk about it in this form. I’ll talk about my experience with it instead. There’s a thought to call it a kick-in-the-pants reminder… of the simple, freeing truth that you are already free. Nothing to do, nowhere to go-o-oh-oh-oh. It does seem, in retrospect, suddenly much easier to access and focus on that buzzing clear silent space that seems like a blanket interwoven into the fiber of all. And on that note, it’s time for my evening sit.

P.S. I’ll be IN American in less than six weeks!!!!!! Ohhhh kay. That makes me happy J Can’t wait to see everyone, to just sit around with you all on couches. And to eat American food! And Chinese food, and Indian food and Mexican food and Thai food and … well, yeah. Love, Love, Love, Jess.