We were on a looong line to get a bowl of ramen last week. It’s so weird that ramen has become so popular here but then maybe it’s not so weird. After all it’s really savory hot soup laden with al dente noodles topped with what have you. The line of ramen aficionados formed before the opening of lunch and because we were stuck in this line, I could not help but overhear this guy talking to his co-workers.
HE: There’s this little Japanese restaurant with no name or at least no sign, and there’s no menu. You just go there and you eat whatever the chef provides for you. It’s kind of like going to a friend’s home or something but really special.
continues:
HE: there’s a really long line and long wait just like this even though there’s no ad. And people who eat there don’t want the word to get out so they keep it under wraps – They can’t afford to get the line any longer since it’s a pretty small hole in the wall kind of place. Yeah, it’s kind of tucked away, a secret among those in the know. You’d have to have someone take you to find the place.
His co-workers, his team, all looked at him with anticipation, “so was the food phenomenal?!”
HIM: It’s just home cooked Japanese food… like what your Japanese mama might cook – little plates of comfort food that’s actually hard to come by in regular Americanized Japanese restaurant.
Of course, all his friends (including me, the eavesdropper) wanted to know where this hideaway of a place, a place where … there’s no sign out, maybe no name, no particular way of knowing about this restaurant … and …no menu.
SOOOO intrigued…
I REALLY WANT TO GO TO THIS PLACE! (unfortunately he did not share the address during the long wait for this popular ramen shop to open…
but instead making my own root veggie tempura
lotus roots…yes, I made them.
Hearing that guy talk about this secret restaurant with obvious pride made me realize that I sort of wish for my yoga class to be the same … it’s a meeting of the minds (foodies for savory soul-food “ramen”, vis-a-vis yogis for mindful soul-full yoga…), a sanctuary, a refuge, hardware/software restoration station and best of all … not advertised or commercialized at all – and yet, somehow people who know, show up. It’s almost fateful. Naturally, its inclusive, not exclusive as anyone who show up are each welcomed. People sharing kindred spirit creating that special energy of … gratitude, abundance and … all around goodness that’s nourishing for the body and mind as well as for the soul. All negativity, toxicity off the mat, out of the sacred space in which there’s an alter where you bring your offering to … honor yourselves. Wouldn’t that be beautiful? Okay … it’s an utopia.
A single rose named “Precious Moment” in Tokyo, summer 2015.
Facing your own shadow that looms larger than life.
Dancing in the reflection of one’s own image – in the bubbles and foams, we find our spark.
Our spark has always been dancing amidst the light. All along, perhaps muffled by all the noise, there’s the enlivened sounds on our surf … it’s always been there in the crashing waves … our light, crystallized with each conscious breath.
