February Tea ’23

What courage, each year, has the tree
to once again birth her leaves,
her pink cherry blossoms or delicate dogwood petals,
knowing in days, weeks or months,
they will wither and fall to the ground.
So, too, the crocus or tulip,
who struggles through the frozen ground,
regardless the chance of spring snowfall.
Even if warmed, her flower’s glory will be
short-lived.
What freedom to show up, generously share,
sure of one’s value to Earth.
Oh, to be like that
to bloom without fear,
not clinging to longevity,
not demanding guarantee,
but offer our best without expectation.

“The Nature of Risk” ~ Patricia Soper

Still the Body
Still the Mind
Still the Voice inside
In silence
feel the Stillness
Move
Friends
This feeling
cannot be imagined

“Still” by Kabir

From Jean Kenin

Mess in the kitchen, mochi making reminds me to be still

 
From Lesley Maclean

fluffy cloud mind…cannot make tea…cannot string words…now still here

 
From Kim C

a blank slate/ stillness here now/ monster mochis, soybean pellets, and laughter.

 

From Sakina & Siddiq

Heart sore. . . Heart at rest. . . Heart grateful. . . Heart sore… Heart at rest… Heart grateful…

 
From Anne Ritchings

In stillness we rest/Quietly moving toward/the future that is now

 
From Kim C

Still here now/ a heart at peace/ ready/ for the flowers of spring

 
From Dean

In the stillness, now/Here we are with tea and smiles/Where else would we be?

 
From Beth Searcey

We are still here now, Our friendship strengthened in years, My friend Leilani

 
From Susan Ross

STILL: the path beckons, grateful for BEING, opening All Ways

 
From Deborah MN

Easy to be still in this white tundra perhaps the coldest day of the year thank you

 
From Karima Terry Forman

A moment now in stillness brings me to here, to tea, to the clouds parting and blue peeping

 
From JB Adams

Our busy lives abound, we long for the still here now which gives us peace and enlightens,
soothes and nourishes our hearts.

 
From Karen Robins

Easy to still mind, not so easy to still mind, Breath does even want to be still.

 
From Jean Kenin

bring me to stillness, beloveds in this silent chorus of faces, right here, right now..

 
From Kim C

bloom without fear you all

 
From Victoria

Words too sharp, pricking out of place; kindness restored in stillness and grace.
Thank you everyone for sharing your stories of togetherness and loving presence in the tea room and
the world! Here is to blooming without expectation regardless of the easy or challenging conditions.
Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi! Demons out, good fortune in.

 
From Sakina & Siddiq

As in life I have to cut through so much to really be, so in Tea I have to cut through so much to
really prepare a bowl of Tea.

 
From Karima Terry Forman

Thank you!!! It is wonderful!

 
From Jean Kenin

It is so wonderful to see you all- I am reminded of tea next to ponds, dragon flies, tea of 20
years past visiting the present. Thank you.

April Tea ’23

    From Kathy While turning the compost pile at the retreat yesterday, I remembered this poemBy Sasaki Sanmi “Taking a break, resting my chin on the hoe, I sense the hoe’s strongattachment to this field” From Sakina holding each other gently / we share the...

March Tea ’23

From Ravi Austin through the universeeach space, each planet, each timeMatcha & me From Siddiq Hans von Briesen WE are found objectsWashed ashore in the sea of lifeGrateful to be alive. From Deborah MN Awe, the change of seasons, tea, remarkable and humbling32...

Preparation

Poems written by participants of Lama Tea, June 2, 2022 Prepare to face the moment, just how it happens. — Karen Higgins our attentive preparations join hands with the ringing clash of the unexpected past meets future two hands blessed and blessing — Lesley Maclean...

September Tea

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Reunion

Lama Tea, July 7, 2022 When we look up at the stars, what do we feel? Do we feel the awesome vastness of space? Do we stop breathing or thinking? Do we feel ever so teeny? Do we feel an inexplicable connection? Is there fear? joy? quiet? heart thumping brain...

A Letter from the Coordinator

Beloved Lama Community, So much has changed for us all in these last few months. Not long ago, residents were deep in retreat for our winter intensives, wondering if the Community Center kitchen project would ever be totally completed, and eagerly awaiting a summer...

Podcasts

Lama has a podcast page on SoundCloud! https://soundcloud.com/user-615961713 Listen on SoundCloud Remembering our recently departed Elaine Sutton, as she reads her works just days before passing on into the great unknown. Elaine Karen Sutton, B. 9/16/1949, D....

General Sale

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