TEA AND ZEN - THREADS

THE BUDDHAS LAST INSTRUCTION - Mary Oliver

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 LAW OF RECIPROCITY...turning the other cheek.

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

THE MORNING POEM - Keeping Watch

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 stirYou put Your lips on my foreheadAnd lit a Holy LampInside my heartHafiz. 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 LOVING MEMORY OF PAUL

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

THE LONGING FOR HOME - addiction #3

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. Through 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.orgA 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

LOOKING FOR YOUR FACE - for the Love of God.

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

The Timeless Nature of Love

“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

A GUIDED HEALING MEDITATION

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

Now is the time to knowThat 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

HOPE FOR ENLIGHTENMENT

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