All life begins with the good seed. Hold a seed in the palm of your hand and know that the entire universe lies with it. The ancient Vedic sadhana of spice-grinding helps us to envision our infinite origins and awaken a sense of our deepest memories of life; past, present, and future.

Spice grinding is more than just a way to make masala. It is meditation in motion, a practice that helps us to grow into maturity and splendor. The spice-grinding stone that Mother Maya's grandmother bequeathed to her mother was so important that she carried it with her (one of her few possessions) when she fled from Guyana during the civil war. Now, this precious stone sits in the Wise Earth kitchen.

The grinding stone and mortar and pestle are an ancient symbol of the power of male and female energies. The mortar or base is Parashakti, the primordial feminine power that brought forth manifestation. The pestle is the lingam, or Parashiva, the masculine force that represents all-pervasive consciousness.

Sadhana of Breath