Profound Simplicity

I have learned so much about practice through the group chanting The Vows of Samantabhadra every Wednesday evening, as well as the “reading meditation” I have been doing with our online group. Putting my mind on one word, just this word, then the next, then the next, over and over, has been such a helpful…

“Shelter in Place” with Tea

Practice of Tea Meditation in the time of “Shelter in Place”: "I’m again amazed at the simplicity of this practice.It is pure Zen, pure Chan.Just this. Just to be with tea, be one with tea.Just pour tea, just drink tea.Being with the tea, just as it is. Putting attention on the tea utensils as they…

A Good Companion

A cup of tea — It's a good companion when we are enjoying the company of friends, and also during those quiet moments when we wish to be alone. The simplicity of getting together with others to enjoy a cup of tea has appealed to people through the generations. By enjoying tea together, we take…

Six Virtues of Tea

One ~ Becoming tea by letting go of the leaf upon meeting water ~ such is Generosity; Two ~ Diffusing the frangance of leaf and tea like burning incense ~ such is Upholding the Precepts; Three ~ Tolerating to be roasted and fermented, pressed and rubbed ~ such is Forbearance; Four ~ Eliminating lethargy and…