Tea For Three

Strawberry_Short_Cake1.jpg
Strawberry Shortcake on the blue plates

It was a beautiful sunny morning as we pulled away from the coast towards Mt. Shasta at about midday. Six hours later we arrived, having stopped a few time along the way. My regret is that I was not able to stop and perhaps meet a reader who lives in a town between the coast and Mt. Shasta. I already knew our journey was going to be unpredictable; time of leaving, stops and last moment business to deal with which might hold us up.

And therein is my thought for this day. Which is: the difference between dealing with and responding to a situation. In a commentary to the Precepts there is the teaching to do nothing whatsoever in a hurry. That is such great advice. Because when in a hurry, one is in the mind of dealing with a situation – quickly. When not in a hurry one is more likely to respond in a thoughtful and rounded way. I’ll remember that next time I am rushing along, as I was this morning, when just going along would be better.

One thing you can’t rush is tea. Taking tea needs to be a thoughtful and full rounded occasion. And Jim and Nancy and I have certainly enjoyed our teas and time together. Thank you, thank you both so much.

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2 thoughts on “Tea For Three”

  1. I have a Christian friend in the Order of St Francis, who once advised me that, when a difficult situation or decision arises, one should wait two days before responding. On the other hand, the Buddha very sensibly taught that sometimes one just has to act swiftly and decisively, to extract the arrow without spending too much valuable time thinking and questioning. Either way,I often find I’m really good at putting my foot in it!

  2. There is wisdom in what your friend said Virginia. I find that to let some plan of action, potential action, float lightly as I go about my day to be a good course to follow. More often than not, in the end, there isn’t a ‘do’ ‘don’t do’ result more a linked thread of thinking which I often take along to somebody to look at with me. The thread then can take on a different hue, shape and texture and thread it’s way to an action I’d not even thought of….

    Most often one has only a very small window view to work with and even having taken refuge it’s likely one will put said foot in it! We do our best and learn from the muddy boot…. You and me together.

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