How we connect with Anthony Bourdain

by Jodh Kaur
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Sat Nam, 
I remember reading Kitchen Confidential around the time I began taking Kundalini Yoga. At the time I was a stressed out Crisis Social Worker and I was searching for more out of life.  The stress brought me to Kundalini Yoga, the search brought me to food.  Problem was, I was terrible in the kitchen! 

When I started dating my husband, I had visions of myself in the kitchen whipping up these beautiful, delicious meals - but they never turned out according to my vision.  Then I read Kitchen Confidential, by Anthony Bourdain, and fell in love with the story he told. His writing style, his truth - it all seemed like such an adventure. I wondered how could I improve my skills and could I possibly even learn to cook for others? I began watching his shows and other cooking shows, reading cookbooks, learning more about cooking and practicing (lots of practicing). 
 
After class one day, I shared my interest in cooking with Savitree who happened to know a chef and she connected the two of us.  Chef Joshua was a private chef for a family in Chicago and he invited me to spend Fridayafternoons with him each week. He would cook, I would observe, write down his recipes and take photos.  It allowed me to understand and experience cooking in a loving and organic way. Experimenting with different flavors, colors, textures, trying new foods and combinations.  And now, after years of practicing, making mistakes, figuring things out - I can say I love to cook (and I’m pretty good at it too).  I’m grateful at the opportunity to be able to cook healthy, delicious food for my family and community and hopefully be an inspiration for others in the kitchen too.  

Anthony Bourdain allowed me to see a chef as a real, accessible person and made cooking and food an adventure.  He inspired me to be adventurous and to experience new foods and cultural cuisines when traveling, adding a whole new element to our travels. 
 
This morning when I learned of Anthony Bourdain’s suicide, I broke down. My heart breaks at the pain he must have been in and for the pain his family is experiencing. My heart goes out to anyone who is living with depression, it is a cold and lonely place to be.  While we know about the public figures we have lost this year, my guess is many in of you have been affected by suicide at some point in your life. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the suicide rate in the US has increased 25% since 1999 and middle aged adults have seen the highest increase. 
 
I invite you talk about mental illness and suicide. In fact, talking about suicide does not give someone the idea to kill themselves. Addressing suicide, asking about it, can actually open the door to a conversation and allow one to get help. Let’s check in with each other. If you know someone who struggles with depression please reach out to them. In fact, reach out to the strong person you know who is always there for others - they may need to talk too. 
 
Most importantly, please know you are not alone. If you are reading this email, you are part of a community that loves and cares for you. If you are feeling lonely, scared or lost, please connect with us or someone you know.  Connection and community are key to our mental, emotional, spiritual and physical health and well being. We live an a chaotic and confusing time. It is easy to be isolated. It is easy to lose ourselves in our phones and in the busy-ness of life. It can be really scary to sit down on the mat and spend 3 to 11 minutes alone with ourselves. You are not alone with your fears. I think we have all been in a dark, lonely, scary place - I know I have. Connecting with others is how we gain support and encouragement through times of difficulty.  Connecting with community is how we know we are not alone, we are connected, loved and part of something. 

We love you and we are here for you. 
If you need help, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-8255. 

With all my love,
Jodh