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Dear Still Water Friends,

This Thursday Evening, after our meditation period, we will have an end of Summer Tea Ceremony Celebration. It is a time for us to come together and enjoy tea and treats, and also to share with each other something that brings us joy: such as a song, poem, piece of art, story, dance, gratitude, or appreciation. If you would like to also offer tangible joy, please bring a healthy vegetarian treat, such as fruit or cookies, or a beverage, to share with others.

In the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, Tea Ceremonies play an important role. They are a meditation practice, an opportunity to focus our attention on the here and now. And also, they are an opportunity to share and nourish our joys, both for the simple enjoyment of it, and so that we will have sufficient internal resources to face our suffering and the suffering of the world with equanimity and love.

Annie Mahon will be our Tea Mistress for the evening. I hope you can be with us. The best times to join us are just before the beginning of our 7 p.m meditation, just before we begin walking meditation (around 7:25), and just after our walking meditation (around 7:35).

Below is the Gatha [meditation poem] that Thich Nhat Hanh offered at the recent Stonehill Retreat and Lynd Morris shared with us last week.

Warm wishes,

Mitchell Ratner
Senior Teacher

Let the Buddha Breathe by Thich Nhat Hanh

Let the Buddha breathe
Let the Buddha walk
I don’t have to breathe
I don’t have to walk

The Buddha is breathing
The Buddha is walking
I enjoy the breathing
I enjoy the walking

Buddha is the breathing
Buddha is the walking
I am the breathing
I am the walking

There is just the breathing
There is just the walking
There is no breather
There is no walker

Peace and joy while breathing
Peace and joy while walking
Peace and joy the breathing
Peace and joy the walking

Breathing, walking
Breathing, walking
Breathing, walking