Theresa:
We are here talking about a brand new concept today called the Restaurant of Reason. How did this phrase show up?
Michael:
You know, the Restaurant of Reason for me…I like the concept of a venue of a restaurant…It is very much where people come to gather and have food together. But how often, when we are at a restaurant, if there is a 20-minute wait at the desk , rather than including that in the pleasant experience of the evening and relaxing and enjoying the wait and looking around, and realizing that everyone in the room, all of the servers, all of the patrons…are there for a reason, we’re at the Restaurant of Reason, and we’re there for more than just food, we’re there because in some way, the Universe wanted us to connect. How often, do we just take a moment to reflect and see everything…we were meant to be there at the same moment in time.
Theresa:
That is quite an interesting concept because to me it suggests there is an underlying purpose.
Michael:
There is. It is called a grid of connectivity. A grid of consciousness. A fabric of consciousness and for some reason, we are all in that restaurant for the same purpose. And when we tend to not see the purpose or not feel the divine purpose is when we get lost in the story of: I have a reservation and I have a 20-minute wait. We get lost in the story and we go into anxiety. I’m going to be late for my event, for my concert…
And we start putting energy on the concert, we’re going to be rushed, we’re going to miss the curtain, and all of a sudden this beautiful evening… because we put the context of the story into the event changes this whole pleasant event. Rather than turning to someone next to you and saying:
Hi, I’m so and so.
Share, and find out why they’re there. You may find a common cause or a common reason. So, staying conscious, not buying into that momentary delay and looking at it as a momentary opportunity to awaken and just be.
Theresa:
It sort of feels to me that you’re suggesting a series of tools that will shift our perspective that we can all use in our daily lives. Someone who is just overhearing our conversation in this moment might say:
What do you mean, Michael? The purpose for everyone showing up at the restaurant at the same time on a Thursday evening is because they are all hungry and they ran out of food. So what would you say to that?
Michael:
I would perhaps agree with the concept of being hungry. Perhaps we are not hungry for food.
Perhaps we are hungry for soul connection.
There again, how often, will I go to the refrigerator because there is something that is trying to come through, and I’m not relaxed enough to allow that energy to come through and so, to put that energy I’m not quite balanced with…I’ll go and have something to eat. So I’m talking about feeding the soul, not just feeding the body. So there could be an underlying soul purpose and that could be the reason why we are in that Restaurant of Reason. Same as shopping for food. How do we use these spiritual tools? Say, we get in line and someone ahead of us is using 40 coupons. Instead of being impatient, we can practice these tools of gratitude. Be grateful our shopping cart is full of wonderful food we chose. Be really grateful we are in a store that in the summer has air conditioning and in the summer has heating. Wow, I am comfortable I have clothes and a car in the parking lot. And I’m here. But most, of all, it is about being present. There is a reason why that person is using coupons. And it may be to delay you, to be present, and stay conscious. Take a moment and just be.
Theresa:
I really like that idea of the soul connection you’re bringing up. I know I’ve had amazing connections when I’ve just let go of my stuff – impatience, anxiety – and just be. I’ve actually met lifelong friends by simply missing a ferry and striking up a conversation with the next person in line. It doesn’t happen every day but what you’re saying, to me, reflects that moment of magic. That possibility of the Presence of Connection.
Michael: And that connection might be with yourself. It might create a shift within yourself which changes your perspective.
Theresa:
Exactly. We know that everything begins within. That is the essence of the spirit. And, on that note, we are out of time.
Michael:
We are. So, until next time.
Theresa:
Namaste.
Highlights from the Restaurant of Reason:
- Being grateful that we have the ability or the funds to be in the restaurant or supermarket
- Taking responsibility for our feelings- even in a slow moving line-up – creates choice
- The moment of truth might be to take a moment and just be present
- Choosing to allow ourselves to connect to others around us can produce new friendships
- Being present might allow us to see things in a new way