Temporary Nature

Temporary Nature

Observation of seemingly obvious tasks can offer insights.

I master-batch my soap dough. I use a dedicated crock pot to melt hard oils and butters; 76 degree Fahrenheit coconut oil, Shea butter and cocoa butter are semi-hard before melting. In order to combine them with liquid oils this requires changing their temporary nature.

I use a dedicated crock pot for a simple reason - I was taught while studying meditation we sit in the same position, wear the same meditation shawl and sit on the same mediation pillow all made of simple cloth. I asked my teachers repeatedly, "why?" The over-riding answer was, because it helps to achieve a deeper level of meditation.  I cannot speak to those slightly superstitious and less scientific answers like "your energy is infused into the objects," all of which I listened to with a large dose of skepticism. How are these people, who dedicate their lives to a peaceful existence, not grounded in fact?

I have come to understand we operate on many levels - conscious, unconscious, sub-conscious and automatic, just to name a few. We do things based on prompts and routine like brushing one's teeth. After so many years of doing a task, we have reflex behaviors like Pavlov's dog, and no longer think of the task. Seahorse Sorcery Soap

We can also create muscle memory. Those who participate in sports understand this type of memory that is built into the very fibers, tendons, connective tissue of the muscles change, alter and adapt to the skill; this muscle memory can grow talent; this is an application of an idea to the very tissues of a human being. Sit with that concept for a moment.

Do you see how magnificent and alchemical this process is, at its core? This could be renamed, simply, magic.

To have a dedicated crock pot is not to propose that the structure of the crock pot changes, but my response to the object changes. It is now a prompt of creation. A doorway into unknown worlds. A tool I use to open up ideas inside myself, or open myself up to the ideas in another dimension and pull them into our reality, our dimension.

My crock pot is now part of my ritual; part of my process, to opening that door only I can see. It is no longer the object I create over-cooked chicken, or a lazy dinner, but incites action in my mind/body that help me see the door to the room filled with ideas.

To have a truly smooth soap, be it bar or soap dough, the melted oils and butters need to be in a certain state; to marry to the liquid oils, to unify them into a temporary nature. If not joined in this ideal state the results will not be smooth, on so many levels. The same can be said for relationships, eating, health... all things.

I observe my nature must be patient, as calm as morning lake, undisturbed with the process if I wish to be invited through the doorway into the room of creativity where my nature will changed, temporarily.

Back to blog

1 comment

Your soap is amazing, magical!

Kelly

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.