Vegan Cafe

I let go of the idea of starting a Vegan Cafe in Chicago around the turn of 2004-05. I had personal life issues to address and deal with at the time. That seems like such a long time ago. I've certainly changed significantly over the course of this calendar year.

Now, I'm finding myself in the endeavor of further clarifying and simplifying my mind and personal life. I have been coming to terms with "my purpose" for quite some time. I've had numerous personal goals that I've done well with over the years: for instance, living life well, accepting feelings and thoughts, discontinuing talking about reality, coming to terms with knowing I don't know, and integrating my meditative practice into everyday life action. And, ALL THIS fits with my purpose. With this newer deeper experience of space and peace, I am living my purposeful life. THIS IS MY LIFE, all this and just this as it is. Now what do I do?

I'm responding well. I'm thinking freshly and creatively. I'm practicing centeredness and balance with a greater understanding of the way. I'm less and less bound by old habits, a lot of which are gone from my current existence, yet seem to reside in my mind as strong memories and still influence me. Thus, meditation is very good for me these days for clarifying my mind and bringing my intention, attention, and awareness into balance with my mind, body, and soul.

Balance, flow, presence. Simplicity, compassion, patience. Completeness ever-present in the way.

I've been particularly enjoying the sky lately. Skyscapes are one of Chicago's amazing qualities, in comparison to Seattle's forever undulating landscape. Beautiful cloud formations, expansive gradients of color, bright sunny days of summer and winter, and warm-colored majestic sunsets. Sigh. I think I am creating new nostalgia by focusing so fondly and attentively day after day. I'm continually filled with wonder and joy in this simple experience. It feels a lot like eating nourishing food for my soul. And, thus it fits with my life these days.

BACK to the Vegan Cafe idea. Chicago needs it. I've been to other cities (particulatly Salt Lake City & Seattle) that have wonderful vegan (or at least vegetarian) cafes and restaurants. More have been established in Chicago over the past few years, which I am very grateful for and happy about. However, I want to establish an independent, sustainable best practices, vegan(vegetarian), local, comfortable, contemporary, midwestern, arts/music/performance/spiritual living activities, LEED rated renovated building with super Feng Shui qualites and solar powered electricity and water heating. That's a big dream, but it encompasses what I know and believe should be integrated and done in the present.

Who's doing this kind of a thing? Isn't this a really good idea? It seems like it would thrive on the grandiosity of the principle alone, though the practice and economy aspects of the idea are present too. This is a practice based concept, that integrates contemporary (and historical) social memes from architecture, art, spirituality, sustainability, technology, and culture. For me, it feels like a step towards convergence and consolidation of effort with repect to my interests and for the benefit of others in practice and example.

Feel free to comment here or email me at dmdanyluk@yahoo.com