The Tao of Tea and Poetry
Like the Sufi mystic poets of old who did not see themselves as separate from God and who met in secret to protect themselves from fanatical fundamentalists who thought otherwise, a group of women friends gathered around a table for tea and something more…talk of the Dharma, the Tao, the Wise Woman Way.
“Bring something to read that has inspired you,” our hostess requested.
And so, the flavors of hot apricot tea, lemon cake with boysenberry jam, scones, cream, and fresh strawberries and grapes mixed with the words of Rumi, Hafiz, Li Po, Gary Snyder, and John O’Donahue, for a lusciously fulfilling exchange that fed more than one kind of hunger.
Strange Miracle
O wondrous creatures,
By what strange miracle
Do you so often
Not smile?
~ Favortie Hafiz poem rendered by Daniel Ladinsky
May 1st, 2006 9:55 am
It looks like a wonderful table, good food, warm conversation and a relaxing day.
It looks like I spelled the “benet” wrong. I was referring to New Orleans Beignet Doughnuts. They are really, really yummy. Sorry for the confusion.
May 1st, 2006 10:09 am
Well I wouldn’t have known what Beignet was either! But thanks for the clarification. Too bad we couldn’t have had a couple of those doughnuts at this table!
May 1st, 2006 10:28 am
The table looks so lovely…I would love to sit and take in the conversations…though I wouldn’t have a clue what you were talking about mostly I still think the conversation itself would be inspiring!
May 1st, 2006 2:10 pm
Tea and similes. I can dig it. But it seems like a no-boys-allowed affair. Which is cool, as long as its part of the much needed backlash against popular new TV shows about polygamy.~,:^) I like that Hafiz thing. Can a guy audit this course?
May 1st, 2006 3:26 pm
Yes, it was all women, but…I didn’t realize till later that all the inspiring poetry we brought to read was done by men! So I guess it all balances out.
Later that day, I saw a show on Mark Twain’s counterpart, Marietta Holley, who wrote under the name of “Josiah Allen’s Wife,” which helped me answer my own question “where were the women mystics?”
Holley managed to write about women’s rights.
May 1st, 2006 4:24 pm
I just finished rereading Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. She was a star among stars.
May 1st, 2006 5:04 pm
The table looks so inviting. I think I’ll pull up a chair.
If I were to really join you (and this is what is needed – the joining of hearts and minds), I would bring The Jim and Dan Stories.
I know…I know…tis not fair to plug your book here, but it IS one of the most inspirational books I ever read.
If I had to have something else…well then, I’d just close my eyes, take a spin and pick. Which is what I just did. I came up “The Four Agreements” by Don Migeul Ruiz.
Yup, a goodie and inspirational too.
May 1st, 2006 10:16 pm
I am unfamiliar with all the poets you mentioned…and I loved the poem you printed, PLUS those wonderful pictures. The Tea Cups are truly extraordinary!! I LOVE China and that each one is a different color scheme is most appealing…(I am such a “Visual”, I guess..lol)
May 3rd, 2006 7:58 am
How delightful! Love the tea cups!