Cultivations of a mindful farmer
Reflections from Mindful Farm in Chiang Mai, Thailand
Mindful Farm has been a dream come true. Like urban farming in Chattanooga or a homestead retreat for young adults, Mindful Farm evokes the joy which arises from the interconnected practices of being in nature, growing/making/sharing food, connecting with community, cultivating spirituality, and (collaboratively) furthering grander causes. The following offers brief depictions of why I find these practices so meaningful, to honor my gratitude for this experience and ones like it.
Being in nature
Each day, I wake up to a chilly morning, intense birdsong, and a brightening sky, which I sit in the heart of during morning meditation. Then, I water a few plants that I have tended to during my stay. I make tea with well water prepared by whoever kindly boils it before I ever make it to the kitchen. I venture into the garden to harvest lettuce and cut papaya for breakfast. After breakfast, we garden under the increasing heat of the sun and rest in the shade during the afternoon. When we cook, we tend the fire and dodge the tear-inciting smoke. Without a fridge, we cook intentionally, and leftovers become compost or food for ducks and chickens. After dinner, the vocal tokay gecko is ever-present for evening meditation. This is a small glimpse of how our daily life is entirely permeated by our connection with nature.
Growing, making, and sharing food
Gardening cultivates foundational qualities of the heart. To weed or start a plant from seed beckons patience and dedication. It is an exquisite caretaking process where we may witness the inevitability of reciprocity. To plant a seed, nourish it with soil, warmth, and water, and watch it grow over time, is a tangible outcome of our caring effort. Our efforts return our nourishment as we harvest, create with, and share the earth's offerings. Reveling in this delight with others while gardening, cooking, and eating is an unparalleled gift, one to sustain our very caretaking efforts.
Connecting with community
Closeness is prone to arise when living, working, cooking, and eating with others. For instance, how sweet it is to collaborate for our meals, with some of us cooking and others setting the scene, to sit and enjoy each other's company. To enjoy tasty food, tell stories, sing songs, and pass around a guitar is a novelty.
Cultivating spirituality
Difficulty and pain are unavoidable, just like ease and happiness, so spiritual practice is essential for tending to our equanimity and compassion. Gentle evening meditations are fertile ground for planting seeds of wisdom, supporting our groundedness throughout our experiences. Together, we meditate, followed by teachings from Pi Nan, Mindful Farm's farmer and retired monk. His teachings are relatable and accessible, which enables resonate understanding. For instance, he has used the example of a fruit tree, which we have undoubtedly reaped the benefits of while at Mindful Farm, to portray the indiscriminate generosity and impermanence that is likewise our nature. So in the following days, biting into fresh bananas and papayas becomes more enjoyable and meaningful. Spiritual practice and everyday practice become inseparable.
Collaboratively furthering grander causes
The previous cultivations enable us to care about and take wise action to further better livelihoods. During my stay, Pi Nan met with the other farmers in his district to collectively pursue the cause of planting more trees to mitigate Thailand’s formidable air pollution. The local farmers also discussed their devotion to sustaining a self-sufficient farming economy, so everyone can meet their basic needs while not exploiting nature’s limitations. This collective aspiration and action is inspiring beyond words.
Thank you, Mindful Farm, for a beautiful, insightful experience. I’m immensely grateful.
Eating
Where do I begin? Bananas, banana shakes, bananas in coconut milk, banana curry, and banana tempura. It’s an impossible task, but I’m still attempting to get bananas out of my system before they become an imported novelty. Also, I’m enjoying papaya, tomato, lettuce, cabbage, Japanese sweet potato, zucchini, coconut, and pumpkin.
Creating
Pesto- perhaps my all-time favorite sauce to concoct. It transcends locality, therefore I’ve had the pleasure of making unique versions around the world. It involves a simple venture into a garden for a selection of mild and herby greens to combine with pantry staples.
Green curry bean burgers with teriyaki sauce.
Pumpkin coconut custard, from fresh pumpkin puree and fresh coconut meat. I enjoyed innovating a dish from what I could find in the garden and village. And processing the coconut was a full-body workout.
Reading
The Art of Communicating by Thich Nhat Hanh. In preparation for a meditation retreat at Thai Plum Village!
Still thinking about The One-Straw Revolution by Masanobu Fukuoka, April’s Intereating book club selection. Register to join the book club here.
Beautiful. Truly. Please know you are always welcome to visit us at Pun Pun Farm in Chiang Mai! punpunthailand.org
thank you for this nourishment, anna