Ojas. Soma. Bhakti. How do we translate these words, or convey the experience, the deep knowing, that get up and dance urge, the sense of soaring wings lifting you to the sun, the feeling of sailing through light’s orchestral silence?
We think we know what they mean: Ojas. Soma. Bhakti. But we don’t really have words in English to properly translate. These are words not pointing to a concept or an analysis or even something that can be shared by the mind that reasons, but rather to experiences shared by what we might call “the heart” – the place where we are one and where we are all capable of feeling exquisite exaltations, a divine ecstasy; and in that feeling, in utter silence, way out beyond words or word-compiling, we know, we feel it together, we feel deeply connected, and darn it if it doesn’t just make you love everyone and everything because in this place, in this experience, everything is love and it all just sings with light and delight.
You could say that Ojas is the biology of love, that Soma is the principle of love in the world, and that Bhakti is the nectar of divine love in the heart.
But then, it just sounds like more distraction. Better, I think, to translate the words into a feeling, to offer an experience – a food experience, for example.
And that, dear friends, is this. A Coconut Cream you can have for dessert or serve with dessert, or enjoy for breakfast, or even make up as a tonic – a sleep tonic, an anti-anxiety tonic, or even a peace tonic. It’s so good my husband calls it “the Nectar of Love.”
A few notes first: I prefer fresh young coconuts, and now that I have a Coco Jack they are easy and quick to open. You can watch a demonstration here. Some markets will open your coconut for you, so please ask your local. If you do not have fresh coconuts, look for Let’s Do Organic Coconut Cream and follow the instructions, or look for Coconut Cream in a jar (not can) like this one from Tropical Traditions. Just know that the texture may not be as creamy.
Rose water can be purchased from the market, of course, but if you know your roses are organically grown, it is far more wonderful and delicious to make your own. Just boil up some water, then let it cool a minute or two. Meanwhile, put a handful of rose petals in a mug, add a few crystals of coconut sugar, and pour in half to a cup of water. Let it stand for at least fifteen minutes, swirling it every so often. Strain, and drink what you don’t use. Rose water is an excellent tonic.
The Nectar of Love: Coconut Cream + Rose, Saffron, Nutmeg, Lime
A Potion for Cultivating Bliss
1 c Coconut Water
1 c Coconut Meat
1 T Coconut Manna
1 t Coconut Oil
1-2 t Rose Water
1 Medjool Date
4-5 strands of Saffron
a pinch of Nutmeg, freshly grated
a light dusting of Cinnamon, Cardamom
1 Lime
Once you have your coconut water and meat, or your two cups of cream, put all the ingredients in a high speed blender and mix on high for a minute or two. Taste and adjust spices. If you would like it thinner so it is more of a tonic to sip, add purified water or more coconut water to desired consistency. Pour into your serving glass, and garnish with a slice of lime. It will serve 2-4, if you don’t tuck in first.
For more of a dessert, let it rest in your refrigerator an hour or so where it will thicken up. My friend Wendy gifted us kumquats from her citrus garden, so I added those for winter color. First I cut them open by scoring top to bottom and then marinating them overnight in honey. I added the lime slices to that too, as it makes the rind edible and the honey runny.
It is best served within 12 hours of making, so if you have any left over, enjoy it for breakfast in the morning. It is great with blueberries, and probably also with raspberries, bananas, or peaches.
This will do the work of a Deep Sleep Tonic, and judging by the popularity of this post, it seems the medicinal benefits of love’s nectar is much needed in our world today. I prefer this Coconut Cream as it is more sattvic, but try them both to see which gives you more of the biology of love.
Bhakti is love for love’s sake.
~Swami Sivananda
Bhakti is of the form of Supreme Love towards God. And it is of the nature of Nectar. By attaining which, human beings become perfect, immortal and fully contented.
~ Narada Bhakti Sutras
Remember, God, to love us in a way
our souls can taste…~St Teresa of Avila
How do you celebrate love?
If you are one who likes chocolate as the taste of love, you will find heavenly and easy recipes here, here, here, here and here. Does smearing chocolate on your skin sound like a way to celebrate? If so, check out natural skin care expert Morgan Andersen’s Chocolate Rose Mask over on our Sophia Camp website.
Today I am celebrating by sharing the gifts of nature’s beauty from Briar Winters at Marble & Milkweed. Briar has agreed to send to one of our readers a divine care package of her Rose & Cardamom Bathing Salts plus her Fleurs + Cacao Tea for sipping while you soak.
Then, because I love her work so much, I am going over to Madesmith, the only place where you can find Briar’s Cardamom + Jasmine Butter to purchase this delicious body balm and have it sent direct to a reader as my Valentine’s Day gift.
So there are two gifts. All you have to do is comment below so we know you are interested, and two names will be picked randomly. If you are picked, please note that we will need your address, and it will be shared with Briar or Madesmith so they can mail you your care love package. We will do that “behind the scenes,” of course.
Thank you. May you always know that you are Love and you are loved.
Namaste!
Laura- I am always delighted when your post fills an unacknowledged void I am experiencing … Its like Ayurvedic magik. I have gone through quite a depleteing phase and this February dry heat is not helping my convalescence. This seems like the perfect thing to help quell and satisfy my tridoshiac nature as well as deeply nourish my vataliciousness. Thank you for another timely post!
Yes, I am delighted by how in sync you and I seem to be. And always happy to oblige! Wishing you vatalicious love for all your days.
My family nourishes me~~1st my Sweetheart husband that is always there for me and lets me blah blah all I want. My 2 youngest grand children Harper 6 years old and Brody 11 months always fill me up with Peace and Love. Harper for her spirit. wit and sense of fun! Brody, I just love to suck up his baby smell, his wet smoochie kisses are the best medicine. So fun to watch him discover his world~
Happy Valentines Day Sweet Laura
Oh yes! Aren’t sweet kisses from the babies the best medicine?! Thank you, and Happy Valentines Day to you sweet Jackie!
Lovely! Happy Valentines Day.
The company of my family nourishes my emotional being while yoga nourishes my physical and spiritual self. Thanks for the delightful giveaway!
Thank you, divine Heather. Happy Valentine’s day.
Happy Valentine’s Day! This looks so delicious!
no words, either, to describe you and you gifts in our life, sweet carolyn. thank you and happy valentine’s day!
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Amazing, sumptuous, delightful, divine!
Yum yum and yum… I’m ready for another cooking class!! You are a natural valentine .. 💘
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thank you dear gail!
I heard so much about rose water and would love to make some myself, the only hiccup is that I don’t have any in my backyard. Hum, I will have to buy some then. There is something magic about roses, like you, it is the essence of love. 🙂 thank you for everything you share!
there is so much magic in roses, you are right. i believe they are the ultimate comfort of MA…. may we all be blessed with enough space and sunlight to have roses surround us with their beauty and love. thank you for the reminder!
It’s me Sophie. I forgot to put my name.
This looks unbelievably yummy! I sure hope to try it.
Thanks. Let us know if you do, and if so what you think.
You certainly have a way with translating words into feelings through food. I am a big fan of rosewater in sweet and savory, and this looks like a beautiful treat.
Katie, thank you. You have a great way of translating healthy science into delightful taste experiences yourself! I’ve been so enjoying your blog.
Delicious, decadent, heavenly! Sounds oh so yummy!!
Thank you, Fiona!
I love Laura Plumb’s blog for not only healthy food but it all looks so beautiful in the photos! I can’t wait until her book comes out!
Thank you, Marcia!
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Thank you so much for pampering your readers!
I love your recipe and how your husband calls it. Bhakti!
Thank you, Carla. I thank my readers for pampering me! Hope you enjoy the recipe.
This looks beautiful and nourishing! I would love to sample!
Thanks, Lesley. I wish I could put samples up on the blog for everyone!
This is a recipe that sounds so exotic and is sure to take me to another world. I can feel each love infused stroke you put into making this. I can almost taste it!
Thank you Laura for this amazing recipe!!! It’s helped me relax and rest during this difficult time of separation from my husband.
My health has been fairly well since I’ve been following your meals from our NYNY program and daily meditations, and listening to our recordings.
I’m finding that this is positive but still difficult, yet I’m stronger every day.
Thank you for all you’ve shared with me. All your love and nourishment.
Much love and many blessings!!! Always.
This sounds amazing! The coconut guy at the Fermentation Festival had a Coco Jack. Thank you for the link…I need to get one and try this recipe!
Thank you for sharing this with us <3
Congratulations to Cheryl and Gretchen who will receive Briar Winter’s Marble & milkweed gifts. Happy Love day to all!
Beautiful post Laura! The pics are gorgeous. Can’t wait to make this. Xo
I’ve always had a connection to the rose, my namesake. I can’t wait to try this… The combination of flavors and scents and textures seems like an amazing sensory experience. I will make it tonight/
Thank you, Rose. I hope you love it.
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Thank you for sharing! I love your insight.
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