Today we’d like to introduce you to Sandamini Cooksey.
Sandamini, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Myself along with a few committed friends wanted to do something unique in Arizona. I had a vision of a spiritual center with beautiful gardens and water features so people could be in an atmosphere of peace and nature without leaving the city. So a concept of a healthy vegetarian restaurant along with an import boutique and a yoga center took off. The property was found and purchased in 1987 and it took five years to transform the desert landscaping to a lush oasis. It was hard work but a labor of love. Our cuisine is international and our cooks and everyone involved in the food preparation are monks who do hours of daily meditation before they cook to ensure their consciousness is pure before preparing the food. We understand that the intent goes into the food and if someone is angry or resentful that goes into the food and very much effects the outcome. Our food is then offed with love and gratitude first then given to our guests, who come to share a meal with us.
Our success is not a marketing strategy but an intent to give from our hearts to the people of Arizona and expose them to an atmosphere of devotion, devoid of the passion of the busy world we live in. We also offer a Sunday evening meditation experience with kirtan and a philosophical talk followed by a free eight course dinner. If people want to take the next step to add some spirituality to their lives we assist them with that.
For me, it has been a journey of joy and sacrifice. I’m involved with every aspect of the place from cooking, cleaning, purchasing for the boutique from India, Nepal & Thailand, and managing everything in between. I love what I do and every day is a fresh challenge I took forward to. The move we give more satisfaction comes into our lives. After 30 years of doing this wonderful service for the community, there is no end in sight for me.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The world is full of struggles but its how you deal with them. We recently had a major fire which caused us to close our doors for four months. We support 20 people on our two acres (which includes housing, gardens, a library, kids playground, a temple, guest cottages, etc.) and everyone just tolerates the difficulty and made the best of the situation. The result was we got to upgrade the utilities and many outbuildings and remodel, the inside, so I just took everything in stride and got a lot of help and support from the community. Challenges come daily, in one form or another its the nature of this world, but if your mind and consciousness are tranquil you can peacefully deal with anything.
Please tell us about your business.
Our preparations are cooked without onion or garlic. Those foods are considered not suitable for a yogic lifestyle, they interfere with the chakras and are considered in the mode of ignorance. We use other spices which are also medicinal but with no offensive aftertaste.
We are known for our festivals and the distribution of free healthy veggie food. We feed over 200 homeless people monthly and have major festivals throughout the year where we provide free wholesome entertainment, and showcase a spiritual lifestyle with kids activities, interactive booths, Vedic literature and healthy feasts served to the general public free of charge.
We strive to provide the public with a glimpse into a spiritual culture, free from greed. We are a non-profit so our motivation is not profit but only a byproduct from trying to serve the community. We engage many volunteers who assist in various aspects of grounds keeping, gardening, property maintenance, feeding the animals (we have peacocks, parrots, koi fish, turtles, to name a few) so it creates a togetherness outreach to benefit others.
Is there a characteristic or quality that you feel is essential to success?
Thinking of others more, their satisfaction, their comfort and ours less. By putting our guests first, we naturally derive great happiness at seeing others satisfied. In turn, we are satisfied. Selflessness brings contentment, not getting more, buying more or having more. No one has reached that point materially where they don’t want any more. People always strive for more – even if they have way over their quota of ‘stuff’. So by being detached and a bit renounced that is when you find inner peace. If you possess inner peace and contentment you can help others achieve that as well.
Pricing:
- Our pricing is based on our guests getting the best high quality food for the best price. We serve ‘all you care to eat; homemade, organic, quality food for under $10.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.GovindasOfTucson.com
- Phone: 520-792-0630
- Email: sandamini108@gmail.com
- Instagram: krishnacove@gmail.com
Image Credit:
Jim Palka
Shyam Gopal
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