Tea and Meditation

Rituals are part of everyday life. Whether experienced in connection with others or as part of a personal practice, whether intended to connect us to the sacred dimension or to our deep ancestral roots, a ritual can be helpful in giving us a renewed sense of self, or a moment to pause and reconnect. For centuries, Japanese monks have included drinking tea as part of their meditation practice. At this time of the year we enter some holidays that are also like rituals. On this class, you will learn how you can include it in the morning to start the day, in the middle of the day to refresh, or later in the evening to help with a sense of calm, and how the spices of this time of the year can enhance and integrate your experiences with meditation.

Generously underwritten by Isabelle and Eric Mayer.

Alejandro Chaoul, PhD, is the scholar and founding director of The Jung Center’s Mind Body Spirit Institute. He has been a student of Tibetan Buddhism since 1989 studying with His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Yongdzin Tenzin Namdak,  Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche and Namkhai Norbu Rinpoche.  Since 1999 he has been leading people with cancer and their family members through mind/body/spirit techniques aimed at reducing stress and facilitating healing at the Integrative Medicine Program team of MD Anderson Cancer Center. Alejandro received his PhD in religious studies from Rice University and is a fellow of the Mind and Life Institute and a senior teacher of The 3 Doors.

Chris McKann, owner of The Path of Tea, has participated in more than 1,000 tea tastings in the past five years.