January has arrived, and with it a barrage of bad stuff. Show-stoppingly bad. Sure, January is like this (and especially after a holiday), but it’s been an exceptionally hard start.
Which got us thinking. New Year is a time for recalibration anyway, isn’t it? Here in the West we make our New Year’s Resolutions. Most of these are highly personal. They tend to centre around the self: I must do more yoga, drink less, make more time for myself, and so on.
But what if we’ve got everything the wrong way round? Tibetan people spend as much time as possible in a state of reflection and prayer (New Year especially), but it is with others in mind. Buddhists say that it’s only by putting other people first and supporting and considering the needs of others that we can find contentment ourselves.
The Buddha said that when we cultivate genuine concern for the wellbeing and happiness of other sentient beings (note: not just humans) then personal happiness naturally follows. As social animals we can only thrive when we are connected to others: trusting friendships make our lives more meaningful, and it is the support of family/friends/the dog that gives us the strength to deal with life’s inevitable moments.
This New Year, then, we’re looking beyond the personal, extending compassion to everyone who’s got their stuff to deal with, and focussing on helping others to get through. Cooking is a wonderful way to bring health and happiness to others (including our cat, a grateful recipient of Yeshi’s delicious dishes). We’re glad we reopened last week, even when we ourselves were not at our best.
Thank you to everyone who ate with us on the first weekend of 2023, and may this deep and meaningful inspire you to find greater peace this year. If you haven’t yet swung by, a warm welcome always awaits.
We’re open the usual hours this week, as follows:
Wednesday: 5-9.30pm (dinner only)
Thursday – Saturday: 12-3 (lunch) / 5-9.30pm (dinner)
Our menu is out now – check the website for full details. Come for dine in, hot food takeaway or freezer food, our chilli oil and cookbook!
Finally, while you’re in the mood to reach out (long may it last) we’d like to remind you about our free food initiative. Taste Tibet provides meals through Oxford Mutual Aid every Sunday, and every little helps. You can contribute towards these efforts online or in store. Thank you so much.
Happy New Year!
Julie and Yeshi
Opening hours this week:
Weds: 5-9.30pm
Thurs – Sat: 12-3pm 🥢 5-9.30pm
☏ 01865 499318
Are you loving the Taste Tibet cookbook? Please leave us a review if so! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
