There is a new form of community dining emerging in DC that would be of interest to the mindful and voluntary simplicity community.

The Karma Kitchen is a three hour event at the Polo India Restaurant. Volunteers serve a nutritious and delicious offering of South Asian food (typically but not exclusively vegan).

Diners are then given a "bill" that says their meal costs $0.00, but they are invited to make donation to pay for someone else's meal.

I have been to three of these Karma Kitchens and enjoy it very much. The dynamic is totally different from normal restaurant dining. Typicallly you would order a waiter to give you what you want and the make a quid pro quo payment. In the Karma Kitchen you receive what is offered and then give out of generosity rather than legal obligation.

Further, it is a moment to appreciate how good simple, basic and nutritious food can be, especially when you are enjoying it in the company of like-minded people. It is a demonstration that you don't necessarily need an ever-expanding menu of material goods to be happy. It is enough just to be happy in and of itself.

I plan to be at the community table about 12:30 p.m., but the event goes from noon until 3 p.m. and there are many individual tables as well. There is no planned discussion of voluntary simplicity - we will be living it.

Here are links that provide more information.

http://karmakitchendc...

http://www.facebook.c...

Cheers
Robert