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In the November 2024 edition, No. 23:
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I was blessed to enjoy a spontaneous session of tea with a Buddhist Sister at a recent mindfulness retreat.
Last weekend, I had a profound experience attending a two-day retreat. Adelphi University, near me, organized a program on its campus with monastics from Blue Cliff Monastery. The monastery “is a mindfulness practice center and monastic training center founded by the Vietnamese Buddhist monk, author, and peace activist…Thich Nhat Hanh.”
The third annual Story of a Teacup Event chariTEA event takes place online on November 17, 2024. Four other tea leavers and I will be having online tea with participants. We will also each share a story about a special piece of teaware from our collections. It’s always a lovely tea-and-empathy-building event.
Meet the 2024 tea-loving storytellers!
You may have heard the saying: we eat first with our eyes. I recently had an experience that underscored that I drink tea with my eyes. But, it’s more complicated than “only” noting the appearance. Let me explain…
I grew up drinking malty black tea with milk. I still really enjoy it from time to time—even more so when the weather gets colder.
You are warmly invited to join us at the third annual Story of a Teacup 2024 chariTEA fundraiser! Connect with other tea lovers over tea and stories and support a great cause on Sunday, November 17, 2024, 2-3:30PM ET.
My monthly newsletter, Tea Infusiast News, is now subscriber only.
It’s still free. Tea Infusiast News has engaging tea content, special deals and advance notice for events, tea giveaways, etc. (The link to subscribe is below.)
In the October 2024 edition:
I have been thinking over my surprise teas of 2024: the teas that made a big impression on me that weren’t already on my favorites list. The first teas that came to mind were all flavored teas. Historically, I tend to drink a lot more unflavored teas. So, this was quite a surprise!
My surprise standout teas of 2024 so far include:
I’m sharing some ideas to invite stillness into your life. These tips are for anyone who finds it challenging to meditate or “be still.” Maybe that’s you most of the time. Maybe only sometimes.
Difficulty with being still in meditation is something I have had to tackle in my own practice. My body and mind have often (and continue to, at times) struggle to remain still. For me, part of this challenge is nervous energy and part is physical stiffness.
Two ways of thinking about the challenge really helped me. First, reframe the issue of stillness. Recognize that stillness can be “absolute” or relative.
Secondly, conceptually and physically separating forms of stillness can also be helpful. You can be (relatively) still in body and/or mind. Either and both can be healthy and are worth cultivating.
Here are some ways to invite stillness into your life.
This post explains how I understand a gratitude practice and why I am offering a meditation and gratitude series that begins on September 13, 2024.
I avoided starting a gratitude practice for years. I mistakenly believed that consciously embracing gratitude involved denying or downplaying the hard and painful parts of life. In fact, I have heard people talk about gratitude that way. Some have suggested that it trumps or should dissolve most pain and hardship.
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