Mindful Cooking Course

In the quiet of the kitchen, we learn to come home to ourselves.

This course is an invitation to return to the present moment through the simple, sacred acts of cooking, eating, and caring for our community. Guided by the spirit of mindfulness as taught by Thầy (Thich Nhat Hanh), we will explore the kitchen not only as a place of nourishment, but as a place of practice and togetherness.

Together, we will learn to prepare food with a peaceful heart, to eat in silence and gratitude, and to wash dishes with joy. Every gesture becomes an opportunity to cultivate presence, love, and understanding.

In this course, we will practice:

• Reciting and reflecting on Mindfulness Verses (Gathas) for cooking, eating, washing dishes, and working mindfully in the kitchen.
• Contemplating the Five Contemplations before eating, as a way to deepen our gratitude and connection to the Earth and all beings.
• Cooking with care and love, using vegan recipes from Deer Park Monastery—simple, nourishing meals that support our body and mind.
• Eating in silence, allowing each bite to bring us back to the here and now.
• Creating a calm and joyful kitchen space where peace is possible.

What's Included:

• Mindful Cooking: Learn to prepare and eat food with deep awareness through gathas, the Five Contemplations, and daily mindfulness practices in the kitchen.
• Dharma & Nutriments: Explore the Four Kinds of Nutriments through teachings by Thầy and senior monastics, including Eating Meditation.
• Traditional Recipes: Cook nourishing vegan dishes from Deer Park Monastery and Plum Village—simple, traditional, and infused with love and care.
• Ancestral Connection: Reflect on food as a bridge between generations, honoring your spiritual and blood ancestors in every mindful bite.

Coming 2026. More information coming soon.