We’re just back from two amazing spots in Northern Thailand: Huay Cha Ka which is a King’s Royal Project and Lisu village, and Doi Mae Salong @ 1,800 meters above sea level where the finest oolong teas in the country are grown, another royal project that was established in the seventies to replace opium crops with tea…

The whole family piled in the truck: Aloma, Cha and myself at the wheel. The objective was to take a small vacation to one of my favorite places in the North of Thailand: Doi Mae Salong, and purchase some teas to stock my inventory (The new batch is available! contact me for shipment options) and to check out the Lisu village silver smiths to see what kind of creative juices they got going, and if anything was worth purchasing. Here are some shots from our travels….Peace.

Practice is great, sitting quietly, observing the mind. We keep going through different phases in our lives when regimented practice (ie. yoga, vipassana, etc) are very beneficial, and as you already know the Path of Practice is not a linear approach. When everyday life becomes the practice, things seem to loosen up a bit. Try it.

Sit on the edge of a quiet river bank, or any nice space in or near nature that you enjoy visiting. Brew yourself up a cup of tea. Breath in and Out, observe the motion of the breath, are they short movements, or long? Just watch. Just be there, practicing neither coming nor going, try to bask in that special moment. Be happy for what you have, practice gratitude. This is life practice. You don’t need any special props, clothing, or gear to do this. Being Mindful doesn’t cost anything. There is a time for activity and a time for inactivity in life. Just be prepared for the changes… The Tea helps, trust me! You can even make a practice out of drinking tea, I have, it’s glorious.

Just Brew you’re tea, take time to enjoy it, and watch the rising and falling fluctuations of the mind, it’s no different than the steam rising off a cup in the morning air. Remember practice should be enjoyable, yet disciplined, but don’t force yourself and take your time… We’ll be here waiting.