TEA AND ZEN - THREADS

Tea and Zen - Meditation Sans Frontieres is a reader-supported publication. To support my charity work, consider becoming a paid subscriber for the price of a cup of coffee Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

Life is governed by intricate patterns, dynamics, and laws that shape our experiences, guiding us through the interplay between our thinking minds and the wisdom of our hearts. These forces are not just personal; they resonate collectively, influencing how we connect with ourselves and each other. At the individual level, our thoughts and emotions create a tapestry of understanding and response. The mind seeks logic and clarity, while the heart brings intuition and empathy into the equation. When these two aspects work harmoniously, we navigate life with greater awareness and authenticity, making choices that align with our true selves. Collectively, these dynamics manifest in our communities and societies. Shared beliefs, cultural narratives, and collective experiences create a common framework that guides how we relate to one another. This interconnection highlights the importance of empathy and understanding, as the patterns that govern our interactions can lead to unity or division. Recognizing the interplay between our thinking minds and hearts opens pathways for deeper connection. It encourages us to cultivate emotional intelligence and foster open dialogue, both within ourselves and in our communities. By honoring the wisdom of our hearts while engaging our minds, we can create a more harmonious existence, enriching our lives and those of others. In essence, the patterns and laws that govern us remind us that we are part of a larger tapestry, intricately woven together by our thoughts, emotions, and shared experiences. Embracing this interconnectedness empowers us to navigate life with greater compassion and insight, fostering a sense of belonging in a complex world. Nigel Lott teaandzen.org Thanks for reading Tea and Zen - Meditation Sans Frontieres! This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

“I have lived on the lip of insanity, wanting to know reasons, knocking on a door. It opens. I've been knocking from the inside." Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī Show me anger and I'll show you hurt, show me hurt and I'll show you love….. care to peel the layers? Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

I seem to have loved you in numberless forms, numberless times...In life after life, in age after age, forever.My spellbound heart has made and remade the necklace of songs,That you take as a gift, wear round your neck in your many forms,In life after life, in age after age, forever.Whenever I hear old chronicles of love, it's age old pain,It's ancient tale of being apart or together.As I stare on and on into the past, in the end you emerge,Clad in the light of a pole-star, piercing the darkness of time.You become an image of what is remembered forever.You and I have floated here on the stream that brings from the fount.At the heart of time, love of one for another.We have played along side millions of lovers,Shared in the same shy sweetness of meeting,the distressful tears of farewell,Old love but in shapes that renew and renew forever. Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

One earth, one mother, One sky, one beginning, one future, one destiny, One broken heart, One God. We pray to You: Grant us a vision of unity. May we see the many in the one and the one in the many. May you, Life of All the Worlds, Source of All Amazing Differences Help us to see clearly. Guide us gently and firmly toward each other, Toward peace. Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

Throughout history, many spiritual and philosophical traditions have emphasized a profound truth: when we harm another sentient being, we inevitably harm ourselves. This principle, often referred to as the Law of Reciprocity, underscores the interconnectedness of all life and the moral imperative to act with compassion. Therefore at its core, this law suggests that our actions, particularly those rooted in negativity or malice, reverberate beyond their immediate effects. When we inflict pain….whether through words, actions, or neglect….we create a cycle of suffering that returns to us tenfold. This is not merely a cosmic punishment; rather, it reflects the natural consequences of our choices within a web of relationships. Consider the implications of this law in everyday life. When someone wrongs us, the instinctual response may be to retaliate. However, this knee-jerk reaction can escalate conflict, perpetuating a cycle of hurt and resentment. Instead, choosing compassion—understanding the pain behind someone’s actions—can foster healing, not only for the victim but also for the perpetrator. Furthermore, the Law of Reciprocity extends to our thoughts and intentions. Holding onto anger or resentment poisons our own well-being, while cultivating empathy and forgiveness liberates us from that burden. It’s a reminder that we hold the power to shape our emotional landscape and, consequently, our reality. In a world rife with division and conflict, embracing this principle can transform our interactions. By recognizing that our well-being is intrinsically linked to the well-being of others, we can cultivate a culture of compassion. Ultimately, healing begins with understanding that every act of kindness we extend not only uplifts another but also enriches our own lives tenfold. I appreciate that this is a hard truth to swallow, I believe true nonetheless. Nigel Lott teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

In the morningWhen I began to wake,It happened again— That feelingThat you, Beloved,Had stood over me all nightKeeping watch, That feelingThat as soon as I began to stir You put Your lips on my foreheadAnd lit a Holy LampInside my heart Hafiz. Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

I learned of your passing today Paul and share this tribute with all and light a candle in your honor. Meeting Paul on this path was a gift, as he embodied kindness, wisdom, and a pursuit of truth. Though he has transitioned from this world, his spirit remains alive within us. We carry forward his legacy of compassion, courage, and the search for inner peace. May we honor him by living our lives with the same passion and dedication that he showed every day. Rest in peace, dear Paul. Your journey continues in the hearts of those who love you. Nigel Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

At its essence, addiction can be understood as a profound search for peace and bliss….a longing to reconnect with the divine and the Love that feels like home. This perspective suggests that, throughout our journey in life, we often perceive ourselves as separate from a sacred origin. This sense of separation, felt acutely from the moment of conception into our human forms, instills a deep homesickness within us. As we navigate the complexities of existence, many turn to substances, while others seek fulfillment through money, power, or various external pursuits. These attempts to fill the void can provide only a temporary escape…a momentary relief from the discomfort of existential longing. Yet, this search for bliss often leads to a paradox: the very substances, people, places, and things that seem to offer solace can plunge us into deeper despair, isolation, and disconnection—not just from the world, but from ourselves. In truth, we never truly became separate from our source. The divine essence resides within us, waiting to be acknowledged and embraced. When we seek fulfillment outside ourselves, we drift further away from the home that is already a part of us. This disconnection can manifest as an underlying spiritual crisis, characterized by feelings of emptiness, lack of purpose, and an overwhelming sense of longing—a black hole where joy and meaning should reside. In the journey toward recovery from the many forms of addiction, fostering self-awareness and spiritual exploration can be transformative. Practices that promote mindfulness, community, and inner reflection can help individuals rediscover the sense of home they’ve been yearning for. By embracing this path, they can find peace not in external things, but in the realization that they are never truly separate from the love and light that define their existence. Ultimately, understanding addiction as a longing for spiritual connection invites compassion and empathy for those who struggle. It reminds us that the search for peace and bliss is a universal human experience, a sacred journey. T hrough connection….both with ourselves and with others….we can begin to heal the wounds of separation and rediscover the home that has always been within us. May you find that divine place within you now. Nigel Lott teaandzen.org A 501 (C) 3 Non Profit, Registered Charity TAX EIN 81-34111835 Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

What I have been looking for all my life is already deep within me, always has been and always will be. I AM what I have been looking for. Nigel Lott teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

“Love is on every breath we take; it was there before the breath we took and will be there still, when breath we take no more.” Nigel Lott “This profound statement encapsulates the essence of love as the most fundamental aspect of our existence, and our founding principle” Nigel Lott Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

Now is the time to know That all that you do is sacred. Now, why not consider A lasting truce with yourself and God. Now is the time to understand That all your ideas of right and wrong Were just a child's training wheels To be laid aside When you finally live With veracity And love. You is a divine envoy Whom the Beloved Has written a holy message upon. My dear, please tell me, Why do you still Throw sticks at your heart And God? What is it in that sweet voice inside That incites you to fear? Now is the time for the world to know That every thought and action is sacred. This is the time For you to compute the impossibility That there is anything But Grace. Now is the season to know That everything you do Is sacred. Hafiz Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

Sometimes, I can hardly bear the suffering in the world. Even though I care for myself amid it all, I find myself in moments like this, where words fail me and the grief feels unbearable. I weep—sometimes outside, but often, like now, it seems trapped inside me, sorrow spilling over nonetheless. The world feels shaken, steeped in a palpable shock. There’s a phrase from Ram Dass that resonates with me: “When we are in our greatest suffering, we are actually closer to our greatest joy.” It highlights a continuum where deep suffering gives way to a love beyond measure, resting at the core of our being—our greatest joy, may we find ourselves there now. This is a time for Hope, as Studs Terkel pointed out—Hope, after all, dies last. To hold onto Hope, we need faith and courage. Let this chant, “Hope for Enlightenment,” fill your heart and soul, every cell, right down to the marrow. Please make time to be with this cry for peace, for everlasting happiness, sit and meditate, contemplate, be ONE with it. Nigel Lott teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

May the sacred spark of light and goodness within each of us illuminate our way forward from the tragedies that befall us. May our light expand to bring healing and wholeness to all who are in pain. Together, may we journey as one world toward a harmonious place where sorrows become memories, and love and compassion flow like a gentle rain. Nigel Lott Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

In the infinite consciousness, in every atom of it, universes come and go like particles of dust in a beam of sunlight that shines through a hole in the roof. These come and go like ripples on the ocean. Vasistha’s Yoga III:27 ‘Weightless Moments’ Mathilda Skonare Karlsson teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

“May the light of a thousand candles guide your path. May their warm, gentle glow illuminate your way, bringing comfort and clarity through the darkest of times. Let their radiant presence remind you that you are surrounded by love, hope, and support, and may they lead you safely and peacefully to the place you call home.” Nigel Lott Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

In Honor Of Russ, my Friend and Brother. Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

I am not interested in the ‘integrity’ coming out of your thinking mind, that can hardly be the truth of any matter. No, what I am most interested in is the integrity that flows from your heart accompanied by Grace. That is the truth of any and all matter……… it is where you and I meet as ONE. Nigel Lott teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

Leave the familiar for a while. Let your senses and bodies stretch out Like a welcomed season Onto the meadows and shores and hills. Open up to the Roof. Make a new water-mark on your excitement And love. Like a blooming night flower, Bestow your vital fragrance of happiness And giving Upon our intimate assembly. Change rooms in your mind for a day. All the hemispheres in existence Lie beside an equator In your heart. Greet Yourself In your thousand other forms As you mount the hidden tide and travel Back home. All the hemispheres in heaven Are sitting around a fire Chatting While stitching themselves together Into the Great Circle inside of You. Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

I lay my head to rest,and in doing so,lay at your feetthe faces I have seen,the voices I have heard,the words I have spoken,the hands I have shaken,the service I have given,the joys I have shared,the sorrows revealed,I lay them at your feet,and in doing solay my head to rest teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

When I am among the trees, especially the willows and the honey locust, equally the beech, the oaks and the pines, they give off such hints of gladness. I would almost say that they save me, and daily. I am so distant from the hope of myself, in which I have goodness, and discernment, and never hurry through the world but walk slowly, and bow often. Around me the trees stir in their leaves and call out, “Stay awhile.” The light flows from their branches. And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say, “and you too have come into the world to do this, to go easy, to be filled with light, and to shine.” Bless your heart. Nigel Lott teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

This is a note to self coming out of an experience this morning that reminds me again that it is important to know one's truth, to know one's truth deep enough that there is no need to convince any other of it, of our truth, and we do that by developing, deepening our connection with the love within us. You want to call it God the divine, the beloved. I like the words love and divine essence because for me, both of those, they're one and the same. And all truth is found there. So, to know your own truth deep enough within you that you have no need to convince others of it. Nigel Lott teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

Long may your awareness of love and its power abide within you, its undying beauty always to remain. If you should forget its presence in you however, in times of trial and tribulation do not worry, for it will never forget you, its truth forever your guide and friend. Nigel Lott teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

Whatever is most sacred in our heart once is forever held there. once sacred, forever sacred, master that you are of your own soul. Love is the one and only thing that transcends dimensions of time and space. It is the only thing that permeates all matter, all form, and the absence of any form or matter. It is simply on every breath we take and it is there when breath we take no more. You are the master alchemist. You light the fire of love in earth and sky, in heart and soul, of every being. Through your love, existence and nonexistence merge. All opposites unite. All that is profane becomes sacred again. Nigel Lott teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

The energy that is the fundamental baseline, that underpins all quantum theory, quantum physics and quantum mechanics et cetera, is none other than LOVE or DIVINE ESSENCE, one and the same. It is the creative force of the universe, absolute reality. That when surrendered to all suffering is found to cease, such is the alchemy of transcendence. “It is in the nothingness that the everything is found.” Nigel Lott teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

May we have the strength and courage to be a haven for others, that when they are in our presence they feel perfectly safe in opening their hearts to love and the truth found there. Nigel Lott teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

The “Old Magic Shop" is a mysterious place filled with curiosities, enchanting artifacts, and the scent of aged parchment. It is a hidden gem in a town, somewhere in time where the shelves are lined with spellbooks, potions, and strange trinkets. Its is heavy with dust, the shopkeeper is a wise old being, with twinkling eyes and stories to tell, guiding visitors to discover their joy, their hidden potential by letting go of the past and coming fully into the present moment and the love it bears. Nigel Lott teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

“You have seen your own beauty. You have seen your golden wings. Of anything less, why do you worry? You are in truth the soul, of the soul, of the soul.” Rumi Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

Arrogance often masks deeper emotional struggles, including fear and grief. Those who present themselves with an air of superiority may be attempting to shield themselves from vulnerabilities that lie beneath the surface. At its core, arrogance can stem from insecurity. Individuals may boast or belittle others as a defense mechanism, driven by the fear of inadequacy. This bravado serves to create a façade of confidence, but it often reveals a deep-seated anxiety about being unworthy or unaccepted, of being unlovable. Nigel Lott teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

Run my dear from anything that may not strengthen your precious budding wings. Run like hell my dear, from anyone likely to put a sharp knife into the sacred, tender vision of your beautiful heart. For we have not come here to take prisoners or to confine our wondrous spirits. Hafiz Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

I have been to every continent on this planet, many major cities, and sat with so many people in this life of mine, and all I ever heard despite the barriers people had built up around themselves, was the profound desire to know peace, to be loved and to love…….just that. To recognize the unity of what it is to be human beyond all forms of separation and its suffering. To follow that ache and yearning for love to its final conclusion of oneness with all that is, that lay at the heart of every living soul it seems that I ever met, and to follow it in peace, to feel safe and secure, that only love, absolute reality can provide. May we all be at peace…it is after all…..our birthright. Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

WeAre notIn pursuit of formalitiesOr fake religiousLaws, For through the stairway of existenceWe have come to God’sDoor. We arePeople who need to love, becauseLove is the soul’s life, Love is simply creation’s greatest joy. ThroughThe stairway of existence,O, through the stairway of existence, HaveYou now come,Have we all now come toThe Beloved’sDoor. Hafiz What holds significance for me, based on my personal beliefs, is that the journey towards connecting with a love beyond measure is incredibly close, just a fleeting moment away at any given time, a blink of any eye. The path is inherent within each of us, much like the door that leads to this connection, one with what is. The notion of a stairway and a door is, in essence, a construct of our own minds, influenced by our egocentric selves. However, in ultimate reality, we have always been united with whatever lies beyond that door. In all truth, there is no literal stairway or door; it’s a realization that can emerge in a singular moment, transcending such physical representations, whenever you are ready to do so, to surrender and transcend into the arms of the beloved. Nigel Lott teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

Remember the boundless possibilities that emerge from understanding that love envelops you, resides within you, and that every moment of life is profoundly precious—there is no time to waste. Embrace love fully now, surrendering to its essence and power, for it is at the core of all existence. Infinite in nature, love is the eternal truth—unchanging and all-encompassing. You are a divine message, a mirror reflecting the sacred, so seek within yourself, for everything you desire is already a part of who you are. There is nothing beyond or above this divine truth. Nigel Lott teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

"In serving the heart of another, we serve the heart within us and, the one love that connects us all...simply nothing therefore is left undone." Nigel Lott Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

Love wants to reach out and manhandle us,Break all our teacup talk of God. If you had the courage andCould give the Beloved His choice, some nights,He would just drag you around the roomBy your hair,Ripping from your grip all those toys in the worldThat bring you no joy. Love sometimes gets tired of speaking sweetlyAnd wants to rip to shredsAll your erroneous notions of truth That make you fight within yourself, dear one,And with others, Causing the world to weepOn too many fine days. God wants to manhandle us,Lock us inside of a tiny room with HimselfAnd practice His dropkick. The Beloved sometimes wantsTo do us a great favor: Hold us upside downAnd shake all the nonsense out. But when we hearHe is in such a “playful drunken mood” Most everyone I knowQuickly packs their bags and hightails itOut of town. Hafiz Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

The belief that we can control the outcome of events or influence any person, place, or thing is ultimately an illusion. Life’s intricate complexity, the randomness of chance, and our place within the grand tapestry of the universe mean that outcomes are always beyond our direct control. We do have preferences, and our emotional responses—joy, anger, fear, grief—are shaped by how outcomes align with these preferences. In other words, we have been conditioned to base our happiness or sadness on how things turn out in relation to our desires. However! The Bhagavad Gita teaches us that the The Great Way to spiritual realization becomes clear for those who transcend personal preferences. Yet the moment we create distinctions, the gap between heaven and earth is set infinitely apart. Therefore, pursue your intentions with dedication and passion toward a noble cause. Yet, remember that while we can exert effort with all our hearts, the ultimate outcomes remain beyond our control. Destiny unfolds as it will. Nigel Lott, teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

Here are a few short poems by Rumi that for me have deep meaning. Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing, there is a field I'll meet you there. When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about. Ideas, language, even the phrase each other doesn't make any sense. Whoever finds love beneath hurt and grief disappears into emptiness with a thousand new disguises. Things are such that someone lifting a cup or watching the rain, petting a dog or singing, just singing, could be doing as much for this universe as anyone. This moment, this love comes to rest in me. Many beings in one being, in one wheat grain, a thousand sheaf stacks. Inside the needle's eye, a turning night of stars, this moment, this love. Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

May the sun bring you new energy by day. May the moon softly restore you by night. And may the rain wash away your worries. May the breeze blow new strength into your being. May you walk gently through the world and know its beauty. All the days of your life. Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

One day the sun admitted I am just a shadow I wish I could show you the infinite incandescence that has cast my brilliant image. I wish I could show you when you are lonely or in darkness, the astonishing light of your own being. I'm happy even before I have a reason. I'm full of light even before the sky. I can greet the sun or the moon. Dear companions, we have been in love with God for so very, very long. What can we do now but forever dance? I have a thousand brilliant lies for the question. How are you? I have a thousand brilliant lies for the question, what is God? If you think that the truth can be known from words, if you think that the sun and the ocean can pass through that tiny opening called the mouth, oh, someone should start laughing NOW! Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

There are countless species and life forms on this planet that surpass us in emotional intelligence and heart wisdom. We have much to learn from them, and by observing and listening, may we find ourselves deeply humbled by their presence. Nigel Lott teaandzen.org 501 (C) 3 Non Profit, Registered Charity Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

We must come to understand and accept that the love found in the heart and soul of one person is the same love present in every other person, as well as in all forms of life made manifest. There is no other reality. We are all interconnected, we are one and the same. No matter how hard we might try to distance ourselves from this love, each other. it remains a constant truth. In reality, there isn't a breath that truly separates us. Embrace this understanding and act in accordance with it. Nigel Lott Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

It takes great deal of courage to speak your truth, but how else can you set yourself free other than to be congruent with your own heart, and the love found there. Nigel Lott teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE

May all love surround you, May the light of peace shine brightly upon you, guiding your steps and nurturing your heart. May you find tranquility in each moment and grace in every challenge. Nigel Lott Get full access to Tea and Zen - Threads at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe In the quiet between heartbeats a whisper calls you home, you are not broken you are becoming. These threads of silence and sound are letters from the threshold, offerings from the edge of stillness. Nigel TEA AND ZEN - MAIN LIBRARY DONATE