Insights into personal growth.

The Chickpea and The Cook.

By Rumi (translated by Coleman Barks)

A chickpea leaps almost over the rim of the pot where it’s being boiled.
‘Why are you doing this to me?’
The cook knocks him down with the ladle.
‘Don’t you try to jump out'
'You think I’m torturing you'
'I’m giving you a flavour, so you can mix with spices and rice and be the lovely vitality of a human being'.
'Remember when you drank rain in the garden. That was for this.’
Grace first. Sexual pleasure,
Then a boiling new life begins, and the Friend has something good to eat.
Eventually, the chickpea will say to the cook,
‘Boil me some more. Hit me with the skimming spoon'.
'I can’t do this by myself'.
'I’m like an elephant that dreams of gardens back in Hindustan and doesn’t pay attention to his driver'.
'You’re my cook, my driver, my way into existence. I love your cooking.'
The cook says, ‘I was once like you, fresh from the ground. Then I boiled in time, and boiled in the body, two fierce boilings.
'My animal soul grew powerful. I controlled it with practices, and boiled some more, and boiled once beyond that, and became your teacher'.

Insights into Personal Growth

Rumi's poem "The Chickpea and the Cook" offers profound wisdom on personal growth through its rich allegorical narrative. In this poem, Rumi uses the interaction between a chickpea and a cook to explore themes of transformation, self-discovery, and the interplay between the self and external influences. I often quote lines from this poem to my students. I think one day, I will get t-shirts made, “Are you a chickpea or a cook today?”

The Poem’s Narrative

In the poem, the chickpea, once raw and unremarkable, engages in a transformative journey under the hands of a cook. The chickpea undergoes a process of boiling and seasoning, emerging as a flavorful dish. Through this transformation, the chickpea realizes its own potential and purpose.

Personal Growth Through Transformation

At its core, "The Chickpea and the Cook" symbolizes the journey of personal growth. The raw chickpea represents our unrefined selves—potential-filled but lacking the depth and wisdom that comes from experience. The cook symbolizes the forces of change, whether they be external challenges, personal trials, or the guidance of mentors. These forces play a crucial role in shaping our character and revealing our true potential.

Rumi’s poem suggests that personal growth involves undergoing significant transformation. Just as the chickpea is transformed through boiling and seasoning, individuals too must undergo experiences that challenge and change them. This process can be uncomfortable or disorienting, but it is essential for growth. It reflects the idea that through struggle and change, we discover our true essence and capabilities.

Embracing Change

The poem also highlights the importance of embracing change. The chickpea’s journey from rawness to a flavorful dish symbolizes the need to accept and welcome transformation as a vital part of our development. Personal growth often requires us to step out of our comfort zones, face difficulties, and adapt to new circumstances. Rumi’s imagery encourages us to view these challenges as opportunities for growth rather than as setbacks.

Discovering Purpose

Moreover, the chickpea’s transformation into a delicious dish signifies the discovery of purpose and fulfillment. Once transformed, the chickpea realizes its role and value in a new context. Similarly, personal growth involves discovering our purpose and understanding how our experiences and qualities contribute to a greater whole. It’s about finding meaning in our journey and recognizing the value that we bring to ourselves and others.

The Role of External Influences

The cook’s role in the poem underscores the impact of external influences on personal growth. Just as the cook’s skills and decisions shape the chickpea’s transformation, our growth is often influenced by the people, environments, and circumstances we encounter. This highlights the interconnectedness of our personal development with our surroundings and interactions.

Conclusion

Rumi’s "The Chickpea and the Cook" offers a compelling reflection on personal growth. Through the allegory of the chickpea’s transformation, Rumi illuminates the necessity of embracing change, the significance of facing challenges, and the journey towards self-discovery and purpose. The poem encourages us to view our experiences—both challenging and transformative—as essential to our growth. In doing so, we come to understand and appreciate our own potential, emerging more refined and fulfilled, much like the chickpea in the cook’s hands.

With love, Marye xx