90 Day BIG SIT

Tricycle Magazine has designed a clever and supportive way for us to practice the traditional 90 day meditation period practiced at many a zen monastery. The guidelines are listed below. Easy to follow and of course the time to begin is "now". So perfect to re-energize a practice in early spring 2009.

• Sit in formal meditation for 20 minutes each day.
• Listen to one dharma talk each week on tricycle.com.
• Study Dogen’s Genjokoan, the text selected for the period.
• Commit to the sixteen bodhisattva precepts.
• Practice with others at tricycle.com or at a local meditation center.
• Begin when you like. Tricycle’s staff will begin February 23.

Join by going to Tricycle. Please won't you be my bodhi-compatriot?

Wise up

Dahl Soup

Barking Dog went through Dahl Soup withdrawl when the Himalayan Grill Restaurant in our Neighborhood closed. This recipe has evolved to fit his Dahl needs.

3 Cups lentils (I use as many different types of lentils/dahl mixed together as I can find at the Indian Grocery. John, (the proprietor) of the Himalayan Grill used 10 types mixed in his recipe. Try a minimum of three. Five would be even better - brown, yellow, orange, oily, etc.

Adequate water to cover while simmering.

2 1/2 tsp salt

4 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp tumeric

1 tsp chili powder

1/2 tsp asafoetida

1/4 tsp cayenne

2 tsp cumin seed roasted

1 cup of your favorite salsa

fresh cilantro leaves

lemon juice to taste

chopped fresh tomato (when in season)

1-2 onions chopped

jalepenos roasted diced into small bits (optional)

potatoes pealed and cut into bit sized pieces (optional)

chickpea (add a 14.5oz can of drained, optional)

Bring lentil and water to a boil; reduce heat to simmer for 60-90minutes, removing scuz/foam periodically.

In a caste iron skillet - saute onions in olive oil and add salt, coriander, tumeric, asafoetida, chili powder and cayenne mixing throughly. Add onion spice mixture and roasted cumin seeds to the dahl. Add salsa and optional potatoes and/or chickpeas. Simmer for an additional 40 minutes. Add lemon juice just before serving.

Cilantro and tomatoe can be added at the table to each bowl.