May Tea ’23

From Gerow

Purification… Meeting life as it is…. Acceptance or
recognition of the present moment… Respect…. Sense of freedom from “shoulds”

 
From Karen (who remembered this from another Lama Tea poet)

Rains arrived… fire turns to
steam… renewal

 
From Deb

The presence created by a focus on beauty.

 
From Jean Kenin

I am refuge for the matcha now finding its way to all parts of me

 
From Sheila Fling

Spiritual warrior embracing Live as it is wanting it different

 
From Deborah MN

Weather finally starting to warm up here. Out for my first morning bike
ride of the year. Such freedom, a blessed day, tea? Thanks to all!

 
From Gerow Reece

Zooming straight into the Harbor of Tea/ Resting deeply in gratitude

 
From Lesley Maclean

Five refuges: friendly imperfections…tea utensils serving me a bowl as
i walk past…the happy taskter…breaking and mending and breaking open…the fifth
unnameable refuge

 
From Sakina

In a tea space…I feel the safety…of accepting what is…surrender is grace

 
From Kim C

5 mountains / 5 tastes / 5 seasons / 5 blessings/ may these 5 fingers open the
door to this Refuge /

 
From Kay Hankinson

A half-mat refuge. Sending quiet energy. Be still. Listen. Peace.

 
From Siddiq

Heart’s rest to be found / in many familiar things / would I awaken.

 
From Kathy

By Kikaku – “My hands, poised to cut iris, seem to tremble”

 
From John Adams

The tea space, tea utensils and tea itself is my refuge – it warms my heart
and reminds me how good my life is.

 
From William Singleton

Reality (the world as it is)/ is altered when we gather for Tea/ and
we take Refuge in this fleeting moment

 
From Karen

Between heaven and earth…. A cherry blossom branch….Curtain of petals
falling
Create a mosaic carpet…. At last, spring arrived

 
From Randy

In the bottom of a tea bowl…. No matter how chipped or cracked….
A green heart beating…. In our hands.

REMEMBERING – The Old Lama Kitchen

Lama children on the steps of the Old Kitchen (1981).  Arielle, Asha (Bernard) and Jamil inside the kitchen (1981). Photos offered by Asha and Uwais Old Lama Kitchen - A few memories By Irit Umani, June 2023 When I think of Lama’s Old Kitchen, my mind almost...

June Tea ’23

  From Chad Being in NO tea/my body needing to rest/I become a guest. ( thank you) From Jean the glob, it sinks, it floats, it pulls us in, but like healing everywhere, just add a bit of hotwater, whisk and drink, and all of your cares will be gone. From Lesley...

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...

February Tea ’23

What courage, each year, has the treeto 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...

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

Hopping bunny stops To sniff a morning glory Vining through lettuce — Tracy Cates Return to tea, Return to friends. Love and blessings everyone! — Kate Shane glowing jars of autumn bounty bunny madonnas crickets at my window it's autumn! — Kathy Lyons Hippity HOPPING,...

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....