Umami meditation

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good. Psalm 34:8

Taste in Hebrew is taam and it also means perception. We can perceive if a fruit is fresh by its sweetness or if it becomes sour and indicates that it is rotten or even poisonous. 

Also, taste connects with our emotions more than just taste buds. For example, in English, we use the word “sweetheart” to describe our loved ones, and one Chinese common phrase “甜酸苦辣 sweet, sour, bitter, spicy” is used to describe the experiences of joy and sadness in life.  We can perceive people and life by their tastes. 

In addition to common tastes, Japanese have found the fifth taste called Umami, commonly referred to as savory taste, and especially slow-cooked meat broth is known for its umami. During Thanksgiving, I always make bone broth by simmering turkey bones with vegetables for 5-8 hours to draw out their essence. Just like MSG, I put the bone broth in stews and soups to enhance umami flavor.

Chinese slow cooked soup also simmers for long hours and blends the flavors with different ingredients, just as God's word does. Through meditation on God's word, we simmer the "meat" and experience its umami. The bible is like a slow cooker and not a microwave, when we immerse ourselves in God's word with intense contemplation, in which we reflect deeply on His word and apply it in our lives, it will transform us to become more like Jesus. Meditating on God's word requires the Holy Spirit to simmer and release the revelation, and then we are able to ingest His word into our hearts.

As we meditate on God's word, may the Holy Spirit come like the fire and transform us so we can taste and perceive His goodness! 

Blessing prayer: Teach us to meditate on your word day and night, so we can understand and obey them. Let us taste and perceive your goodness through your word. In Jesus’ name, Amen.