Satsang, Cottage Pie & the Missing Cow

Sometimes a warm, hearty meal is exactly what we need. Perhaps that's why we call it soul food.

I was sick last week, and thankfully got back on my feet in time to go to the GoDharmic Bhakti Retreat in Dorset. Sitting in satsang and sharing kirtan was just what my soul needed after closing my little yoga studio last month. But the week of illness, and the travel had taken its toll, and this evening I feel in need of a nourishing meal.

Recipe

Chop an onion and a large clove of garlic, dice a couple of carrots, and pop them in a pan with a drizzle of olive oil.

Meanwhile, soak 150g of TVP in vegetable stock with a good shake of Worcestershire sauce, and maybe a splash of soy whilst the veggies caramelise in the pan. We really want to get some flavour into the TVP before it joins the pan party. I've been guilty of rushing this part, but I've learned it's worth waiting for the sweetness to emerge.

It's a little like practice. We can't rush that either. Our relationship with the Divine develops over time, and its sweetness slowly emerges, much like the caramelising onions.

I'd flown to Southampton, and caught the train to Wareham, then a bus to Leeson House. It's a beautiful part of the world, and the voices of Krishna Das, Sivani Mata, and Nina Rao in my headphones only enhanced the bhāva as I journeyed.

As soon as I arrived I was made so welcome. Coming into satsang is such a gift. It feels like returning home with family, though I'd never met anyone there before.

Before I'd even sat down I was offered food and chai. Maharaji always taught to feed people before sadhana... "You can't talk to a hungry man about God."

Once the onions have browned, add the rehydrated TVP to the pan.

Drain and rinse a tin of green lentils (great for texture and a fibre boost), then add the lentils, some dried rosemary, salt, and a good grinding of black pepper. Stir well.

The first night we chanted the Hanuman Chalisa (a favourite of all Maharaji's devotees) and it brought joy to my heart. We would chant this masterpiece by Tulsidas numerous times over the weekend, and I loved every recitation more than the last.

We had dinner (which was fantastic!) and then went back to the main hall to sit in front of the puja with Maharaji and Hanuman. Their pictures were larger than life, so it was wonderful to feel they were there with us. A whole spiritual family gathered as Hanuman Das guided us through some select verses of the Bhagavad Gita (another of my favourites).

Having time away from the everyday chores to study and reflect is such a blessing.

Peel 2 large sweet potatoes, chop into pieces and boil.

Stir the TVP, lentil, and veggie mix occasionally and add a little water or stock as needed. I like to make up a little veggie gravy here and add it for a bit of thickness to its sauce.

Bhagavad Gita 4.24

brahmārpaṇaṁ brahma havirbrahmāgnau brahmaṇā hutambrahmaiva tena gantavyaṁbrahma-karma-samādhinā

The instrument of offering is Brahman.The gift being offered is Brahman.The one who offers the gift is Brahman.The fire into which the gift is offered is Brahman. One who is wholly absorbed in this understanding comes to know Brahman alone.

Big ideas, eh?

But this verse invites us to see the instrument, the offering, the giver, and the action itself, all as expressions of the Divine. I love this teaching. It's telling us that spirituality isn't just on the mediation cushion, in the church, or during prayer... It's always there... in every being, in every moment... we just have to remember that. Everyone, everything, and every act exists within Krishna. 

The Gita is renowned for being so applicable to everyday modern life. Whilst this is possibly one of the more abstract verses where Krishna is speaking to Arjuna, I think even here He invites us to remember that the Divine is also in the everyday actions we take.

Bhagavad Gita 9.26

patraṁ puṣpaṁ phalaṁ toyaṁyo me bhaktyā prayacchatitad ahaṁ bhakty-upahṛtamaśnāmi prayatātmanaḥ

Whoever offers Me with devotion a leaf, a flower, a fruit, or water, I lovingly accept that offering from one whose heart is sincere.

Another wonderful reminder that it isn't the earthly value of the offering that matters, but the bhāva, the loving feeling with which it is offered, that draws the devotee closer to God.

Once soft, drain and mash the potatoes.

Put the TVP and lentil mix into a casserole dish, and top with the sweet mashed potatoes.

Fluff the tops with a fork for extra crunchy bits, then pop in a pre-heated oven (or the air fryer) until brown and crispy on top.

Bhagavad Gita 5.18

vidyā-vinaya-sampannebrāhmaṇe gavi hastiniśuni caiva śvapāke capaṇḍitāḥ sama-darśinaḥ

The wise see with equal vision a humble and learned Brahmin, a cow, an elephant, a dog, and even one who eats dogs.

I've been living with this verse lately. I think practising sama-darśinaḥ, or equal vision, is more easily said than done in real life. None of us goes out each day wanting to put other people or other beings lower on the ladder than ourselves, but inevitably we find ourselves judging others, or assuming that our life is somehow more important than theirs. I've been thinking about this a lot in recent months.

What would it be like to truly see with equal vision? To hold all beings with the same regard is no easy feat.

And then there's the missing cow. 

Many of us think of ourselves as animal lovers. We can't bear to see an injured bird in the garden, or a dog being mistreated... But the pig... the chicken... the cow...

For so many years I've placed my own needs above the animals that sustained me, but if I practise sama-darśinaḥ, that suddenly becomes very uncomfortable.

The food at the retreat was lovingly prepared every day by volunteers. It was entirely plant-based, nutritious, delicious, and plentiful, though nothing appeared to be wasted.

The food nourished us both body and soul, and being taken care of in this way I could truly feel the flow of Maharaji's love and grace.

I left Dorset with a full belly and a fuller heart. 

Serving suggestions

Serve with rainbow chard, broccoli or peas, and a smile.

Offer it to God. Then share it generously.