Abundant Universe Potluck

We recognize the Tongva, Chumash and neighboring Native peoples as the past, present, and future caretakers of the land, water, and cultural resources in the unceded territory of Los Angeles.

Let’s come together to give thanks, celebrate life and honor people, cultures and Mother Earth through food, music, film and community gardening!

To take care of feelings of stress, tension and separation, we offer this Abundant Universe Potluck for youth and folks of all ages to feel inspired, alive and hopeful about building Peaceful, Loving connections with people, cultures and Mother Earth through food, music, film and community gardening.

A Community Potluck with chefs and home cooks sharing their favorite healthy, nourishing and joyful plant-based dishes stemming from their cultural heritage, their homelands.

Here are three questions we would like each chef to consider and share with the community based on the book, ‘Soil, Soul, Society: A New Trinity for Our Time’, by, Satish Kumar —

1 Soil: Which part of the Earth is your dish from? What is the land and climate like there? Is there a photo of your homeland you can share?

2 Soul: How does your dish nourish the soul and heal the body, mind, heart and spirit? Any and all stories and perspectives are welcome here.

3 Society: How does your dish inform the way in which culture or society functions or could function in a more peaceful, loving and joyful way? This one’s a stretch — let your imagination fly!

Each dish will be set up on a table with answers to the questions above posted next to the dish. If the chef likes, they can stand behind the table and speak with guests about the dish, though this is not required. Both chefs and potluck guests will get to enjoy the garden, community gathered and all dishes freely by making their own plates.

Aside from enjoying the garden, community and food, there will be a few activities on offer:

• We are developing a film based on the journey that lead to the development of a local community gardening program and gave rise to many dreams and visions of what Peaceful, Loving, Joyful New Worlds look, feel, taste, smell and sound like to diverse individuals and communities. We will have a station set up to record interviews with folks about what they see as Peaceful, Loving, Joyful New Worlds from their perspective.

• We are inviting community to share knowledge and actions on ways to get involved with regenerating our soil, souls and society with wisdom and grace. Environmental Movements, Spiritual Community and School Programs, in particular.

• We are inviting musicians and sound healers to share soothing, peaceful, loving, joyful sounds we can all enjoy in the park while we learn and eat together.

1 Cook! Bring food that answers the above prompts. We are inviting folks to lovingly prepare dishes from the regions present in the garden community including local Tongvaland, Jalisco, Oaxaca, Italy, Ethiopia, South Africa, East Africa, Japan, China, India and are open to all lands upon the beautiful surface of Mother Earth. Send us a text or WhatsApp at 424-465-2972 to let us know if you or someone you know would like to share a dish at this lovely gathering.

2 Attend the . Every Thursday evening from 6-9pm at nearby Yoga-urt at the corner of Ocean Park and 17th until 13 Feb, come enjoy a healthy meal & movie that embody the Abundance of Mother Earth rooted in Yoga, Ayurveda & food grown in the neighborhood. Great time to connect with community, talk about food, music, film and the Potluck.

3 Attend organizing calls. We have two organizing sessions arranged to plan the event:

18 Jan 2025, 11am - Noon

1 Feb 2025, 11am - Noon

In person at Virginia Avenue Park (2200 Virginia Ave Park, Santa Monica, 90404), in the open area across from the kids’ playground.

Call in at +1.512.647.1431, PIN: 3805548993#

4 Spread the word. Invite your networks and communities to this lovely gathering!

Host or Publisher Master Nataraj G Healing & Art