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.”
Tea Was My Gateway
Tea was pivotal in bringing me to this incredible experience. One of my teachers, Sooz Hammond of Being Tea, honors Thich Nhat Hanh (AKA Thay) as their root teacher.
Because of quotes that Sooz has shared, I started reading the works of Thay some years ago. I also sought out some of his dharma talks and guided meditations online. It’s particularly lovely to me, as a tea lover, how Thay brings tea into his stories and advice for mindfulness.
(The journal that says “drink your tea” in the nearby photo, by the way, was sold by Blue Cliff at the retreat.)
Although my first meditation teacher training is in another tradition, I’m very interested in engaged Buddhism. I’ve thought about visiting Blue Cliff a number of times. But, distance and fear of the unknown–I’ve never visited a Buddhist monastery–kept me back. So, when is saw the Deep Listening and Loving Action Mindfulness Retreat so close to me, with monastics from the tradition of Thay, I immediately signed up.
The Mindfulness Retreat
I’m still processing this wonderful experience. I almost wanted to write it was like being in an alternate universe. But, that isn’t quite right. It was exactly like being in THIS universe and intensely aware of the beauty, serenity, and community you can find here and now. I deeply felt the famous saying of Thich Nhat Hanh: “Present Moment, Beautiful Moment.”
I participated in some lovely sitting meditations and singing meditations. We explored eating mindfully in noble silence. In addition, I joined a large group of participants and monastics in mindfulness walks. The fall foliage and blue skies added to the experience.
(The card that says “mindfulness” and has the dried leaf and flowers, in the photo above, was sold by Blue Cliff at the retreat to raise funds for the monastery.)
We also practiced deep relaxation. Additionally, we soaked in some wonderful dharma talks, and participated in dharma sharing. Each of these experiences–and the totality of them–made me feel like I was a happy bee on a summer’s day sipping nectar. The experience was so profound that it’s more than my words or metaphors can fully do justice to. And, my joy at this retreat hasn’t yet covered my wonderful opportunity to have tea with a Buddhist Sister.
I enjoyed an absolutely magical experience over tea. I worked up the nerve to approach one of the Buddhist monastics, Sister Spiritual Discernment. We started talking about her personal tea practice–which begins at 5 am–and the formal, ceremonial teas that are rarer. (I’ll probably write more about that later.)
Tea with a Buddhist Sister
I was surprised and delighted when she spontaneously asked me if I would like to have tea with her. We walked to the edge of the designated eating space. She filled her thermos with hot water from the nearby dispenser. And, we sat together on the floor.
She pulled out a clay teapot and a cannister of Vietnamese tea. The sister had a glass teacup with her. I had brought one of my ceramic ones to the retreat–a beloved teacup with maple leaves from Soocha Tea. A handy clothe napkin was in my bag. We placed our tea things on it. (I didn’t get any photos from the retreat, but this photo shows the teacup I had with me.)
The sister served us a green oolong. She was sure to pour back and forth between the two cups so we each had an equally flavorful brew. I’m not sure exactly which tea it was as I speak no Vietnamese and Sister Spiritual Discernment wasn’t sure of the name in English. It reminded me of a silky and fresh Bao Zhong.
I’ll never forget her generosity and how spontaneously Sister Spiritual Discernment offered to share what she had with me. The smiles we exchanged and the connection we shared were priceless.
While we shared tea, Sister Spiritual Discernment generously answered my questions about the formal tea ceremony the monastics participate in from time to time. I told her about how I try to pack an extra cup when I plan outdoor tea in public spaces. As I’ve previously shared on the blog, I’m always hoping for the opportunity to share tea with a stranger. Little did I expect that I’d be having tea indoors, on the floor at a retreat, with someone I had never met before.
We are strangers no more, of course. My heart was deeply moved. I’ll never forget having tea with Sister Spiritual Discernment.
Love Connecting over Tea?
If you read this post before November 17, 2024 and would enjoy connecting in community over tea, I’m offering an online event for tea lovers. Tickets for this event–all sales–go to a nonprofit that works to prevent suicide.
Find out more about my Story of a Teacup event by tapping the button below.