Hello Everyone!
Just came back from a 3-month retreat at GAIA House. It was wonderful!
I didn't drink much tea, as I was practicing renunciation as best I could, and saw it as a distraction. Maybe this is wrong view? What's your experience with tea on long retreats? Does it calm the mind? Agitate the mind?
Thanks for your responses.
Be Happy!
A Buddhist discussion forum on the Dhamma of the Theravada
Tea on Retreats
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Re: Tea on Retreats
by tiltbillings » Mon Jul 02, 2012 8:11 am
The only to find out is to try it. And it is a distraction if you make it so.Chi wrote:Hello Everyone!
Just came back from a 3-month retreat at GAIA House. It was wonderful!
I didn't drink much tea, as I was practicing renunciation as best I could, and saw it as a distraction. Maybe this is wrong view? What's your experience with tea on long retreats? Does it calm the mind? Agitate the mind?
What is the use of his knowledge
pertaining to the number of insects in the whole world?
Rather, inquire into his knowledge of
that which is to be practised by us
-- Dharmakirti
This being is bound to samsara, kamma is his means for going beyond.
SN I, 38.
Níl sa saol seo ach ceo
There is naught in this life but mist
Is ní bheimid beo ach seal beag gearr.
And we will not be alive but a short hard time.
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tiltbillings - Posts: 16845
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Re: Tea on Retreats
by deloriisbrady » Tue Oct 23, 2012 10:14 am
It neither agitates, nor relaxes. It’s what your mind probably wants it too.
See, I basically don't like tea but when I am ill I have it for energy. So its just about the likability and belief.
See, I basically don't like tea but when I am ill I have it for energy. So its just about the likability and belief.
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Re: Tea on Retreats
by James the Giant » Tue Oct 23, 2012 11:05 am
Chi wrote:Just came back from a 3-month retreat at GAIA House. It was wonderful!
Awesome! How much did that cost? $$$
Chi wrote:I didn't drink much tea, as I was practicing renunciation as best I could, and saw it as a distraction. Maybe this is wrong view? What's your experience with tea on long retreats? Does it calm the mind? Agitate the mind?
My mind is so full of defilements, so cutting out tea as a source of distraction, as you say, would remove about 0.003% of the distraction is my head.
Tea works for me as a mild stimulant, so I have a cup after lunch, so I don't fall asleep during afternoon meditation. I use tea as a tool to make my meditation better.
Then,
saturated with joy,
you will put an end to suffering and stress.
SN 9.11
saturated with joy,
you will put an end to suffering and stress.
SN 9.11
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James the Giant - Posts: 641
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Re: Tea on Retreats
by jonno » Thu Nov 22, 2012 8:01 pm
Being British tea is not only a tradition but is also COMPULSORY 
Thich nhat hanh teaches the benefits of sharing tea with someone and to sip it mindfully. In my little sangha we have a simple tea ceremony after Zazen and we find the sharing a beautiful experience kind of a group mindfulness exercise. I would think that sipping a cup of tea mindfully would aid ones concentration and to be of benefit. It's not the tea that counts but rather the attitude with which it is drank. Add a tot of holy brandy and it will become even more meaningful. 
namaste jonno
Thich nhat hanh teaches the benefits of sharing tea with someone and to sip it mindfully. In my little sangha we have a simple tea ceremony after Zazen and we find the sharing a beautiful experience kind of a group mindfulness exercise. I would think that sipping a cup of tea mindfully would aid ones concentration and to be of benefit. It's not the tea that counts but rather the attitude with which it is drank. Add a tot of holy brandy and it will become even more meaningful. namaste jonno- jonno
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Re: Tea on Retreats
by Chi » Mon Dec 10, 2012 3:56 pm
James the Giant wrote:Awesome! How much did that cost? $$$
It was roughly $4000 for 90 days after all the travel expenses.
Do Good, Avoid Evil, Purify the Mind.
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