Tea and Zen at Meditation Sans Frontieres

Nigel Lott …..teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Meditation Sans Frontieres at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe

LOVE stands as both the enigma and the answer, rather like the core essence of quantum mechanics. It's a creative force that defies definition yet permeates every aspect of existence. In its purest form, LOVE transcends boundaries, embracing all, yet paradoxically, it exists in the very absence of boundaries, in the voids and silences that punctuate the web of life. LOVE is omnipresent, threading its way through the fabric of the universe, binding atoms, galaxies, and souls alike. It's the cosmic glue that holds together the fragments of creation, infusing them with purpose and meaning. From the dance of subatomic particles to the majesty of celestial bodies, LOVE whispers its eternal song, reminding us of our interconnectedness. Yet, LOVE is also the silent companion in the depths of solitude. It dwells in the spaces between thoughts, in the quiet recesses of the heart where words falter and gestures fail. It's the solace found in the embrace of silence, the comfort of being held by the infinite expanse of nothingness. In relationships, LOVE manifests as a dance between presence and absence. It's the gaze that speaks volumes without uttering a word, the warmth of a touch that transcends physical boundaries. LOVE resides not only in the moments of togetherness but also in the spaces where two souls intersect yet remain distinct, honoring each other's autonomy and individuality. In the end, LOVE is not confined to the realms of the tangible or the visible. It's the creative force that animates life itself, weaving its way through existence with gentle grace. To LOVE is to embrace the paradox, to dance with the infinite while rooted in the present moment, knowing that in the vast expanse of all or nothing, LOVE remains the only constant. Nigel Lott LOVE is on every breath you take, was there before breath you took, and will be there when breath you take no more. Nigel Lott It is in the silence within, meeting the silence without, in that space out of time that all truth (love) is found beyond even a whisper. Nigel Lott In all existence, there can be no loss of LOVE ever, no matter what. Get full access to Tea and Zen - Meditation Sans Frontieres at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe

Every morningthe worldis created.Under the orange sticks of the sunthe heapedashes of the nightturn into leaves again and fasten themselves to the high branches–and the ponds appearlike black clothon which are painted islands of summer lilies.If it is your natureto be happyyou will swim away along the soft trails for hours, your imaginationalighting everywhere.And if your spiritcarries within it the thornthat is heavier than lead–if it’s all you can doto keep on trudging– there is stillsomewhere deep within youa beast shouting that the earthis exactly what it wanted– each pond with its blazing liliesis a prayer heard and answeredlavishly,every morning, whether or notyou have ever dared to be happy,whether or notyou have ever dared to pray. Get full access to Tea and Zen - Meditation Sans Frontieres at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe

Long may your awareness of love and its power abide within you, its undying beauty always to remain. If you should forget its presence in you however, in times of trial and tribulation do not worry, for it will never forget you, its truth forever your guide and friend. Nigel Lott Get full access to Tea and Zen - Meditation Sans Frontieres at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe

Allow this chant which is about a HOPE FOR ENLIGHTENMENT to penetrate the spiritual heart space just below the sternum. Treat this as a meditation and allow the energy, tone and vibration to embed itself into every fibre of your being. Get full access to Tea and Zen - Meditation Sans Frontieres at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe

Love transcends the boundaries of time and form, weaving its enchanting threads through the ages. These immortal words penned by the renowned poet Rabindranath Tagore resonate deeply with the essence of enduring love, capturing the eternal dance of souls through countless lifetimes. "I seem to have loved you in numberless forms, numberless times…" With these opening lines, Tagore delves into the profound mystery of love's continuity across the ages. It's a sentiment that speaks to the soul's recognition of a kindred spirit, echoing through the corridors of time. Throughout the verses, Tagore eloquently portrays the timeless essence of love, portraying it as a recurring motif in the grand narrative of existence. "In life after life, in age after age, forever," he writes, emphasizing the eternal nature of love's essence, which persists beyond the bounds of mortal existence. The imagery of the "necklace of songs" symbolizes the myriad expressions of love that adorn the beloved's being in each incarnation. It's a gift that transcends materiality, a token of deep affection that spans across the epochs, connecting us all in an unbreakable bond. As the poet reflects on the ancient tales of love's trials and tribulations, he finds solace in the enduring presence of the beloved. "You become an image of what is remembered forever," he muses, highlighting the beloved's immortal imprint on the annals of memory. The metaphor of the "stream that brings from the fount" evokes the timeless flow of love at the heart of existence. Across the vast expanse of time, souls have journeyed together, drawn inexorably towards each other by the magnetic force of love's eternal allure. Yet, amidst the ebb and flow of life's vicissitudes, love remains a steadfast anchor, transcending the transient nature of human existence. "Old love but in shapes that renew and renew forever," Tagore observes, emphasizing the perennial renewal of love's essence in ever-evolving forms. In the culmination of the poem, love finds its ultimate fulfillment in the present moment, encompassing the entirety of human experience. "The love of all man’s days both past and forever," Tagore writes, encapsulating the universal essence of love that permeates every facet of existence. Love emerges as the quintessential thread that binds all souls together in a timeless embrace. "The memories of all loves merging with this one love of ours," Tagore concludes, celebrating the eternal resonance of love's song, sung by all hearts throughout the ages. Nigel Lott teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Meditation Sans Frontieres at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe

The true essence of freedom from suffering lies not in the absence of pain but in our ability to rise above it, to transcend it, and to embrace life with an open heart and a liberated soul - a path of non-attachment and letting go of outcomes in surrendering to what is present in any given moment, a hard task to say the least at times, no doubt…… but there it is. Nigel Lott teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Meditation Sans Frontieres at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe

Remember the infinite possibilities that are born of knowing that all love surrounds you lives within you and that all life including yours is so very precious, there is not a moment to lose. Get full access to Tea and Zen - Meditation Sans Frontieres at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe

“A Day of SilenceCan be a pilgrimage in itself.A Day of SilenceCan help you listenTo the Soul playIt’s a marvelous lute and drum.Is not most talkingA crazed defense of a crumbling fort?I thought we came hereTo surrender in Silence,To yield to Light and Happiness,To Dance within,In celebration of Love's Victory” Hafiz. May All Love Become You…Nigel Lott Get full access to Tea and Zen - Meditation Sans Frontieres at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to Tea and Zen - Meditation Sans Frontieres at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe

I received the news this morning, Bob, that you had departed from this mortal coil, laying your body down to rest. One of the earliest memories that flooded my mind upon hearing the news was that famous shared meal with Rob, relishing a colossal grilled cheese rarebit at your flat in Twickenham, circa 1979, forever etched in my memory. A substantial slice of crusty white bread topped with a generous slab of cheese—a simple yet a deep profound communion of friendship and sustenance, as we gathered to watch a game of rugby on TV. You were not just a friend, Bob, but a dear friend and brother to me. When I was in your presence I felt so very glad to be alive. Get full access to Tea and Zen - Meditation Sans Frontieres at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe

This is a copy of a post I sent out a year ago, about our ache and yearning to re-unite with the Divine, that underpins all addiction and dependency. Though, as it turns out the Divine never separated from us, to think otherwise is a profound illusion. That every moment of anger is a moment of fear and ultimately always a moment of grief, when we mistakenly believe that we are separate from the source of our true nature….LOVE….which is impossible. And, so I send this out again today as a reminder to myself et al that 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. That was there before breath I took and has been there when all breath I have taken in this life thus far, and will be there when breath I take no more. Nigel Lott teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Meditation Sans Frontieres at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe

May we live with a full moon in each eye, radiating openness and overflowing with love and compassion. May we see through the lens of love, expressing it in all our thoughts, words, and deeds. Let us speak with the sweet language of the moon, emphasizing kindness, sincerity, and understanding, connecting with the longing for connection within each of us. May we always embrace love as our guiding principle, recognizing the universal desire for connection that unites us all. Let us remember the transformative power of love to bridge divides, heal wounds, and bring meaning to our lives. Finally, In the multitude of hearts, may we remember that there is only One Love. Nigel Lott teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Meditation Sans Frontieres at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe

Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,There is a field. I'll meet you there.When the soul lies down in that grass,The world is too full to talk about.Ideas, language, even the phrase each otherDoesn't make any sense. In the end as in the beginning there are no differences. Get full access to Tea and Zen - Meditation Sans Frontieres at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to Tea and Zen - Meditation Sans Frontieres at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe

In a world often dominated by fear and division, there exists an utterly profound yet often overlooked form of courage – the courage to stand in love, to stand in truth. This courage goes beyond mere romantic affection; it is a deeply rooted commitment to empathy, compassion, and understanding, even in the face of adversity and hostility. Standing in love requires us to embrace vulnerability, to open ourselves up to the possibility of pain and rejection. It means choosing kindness over cruelty, forgiveness over resentment, and unity over discord. It is a conscious decision to extend a hand of friendship, to seek common ground amidst our differences, and to recognize the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, and the one love that binds us together yet in doing so sets us all free. At its core, standing in love is an act of defiance against the forces of hatred and division. It is a refusal to succumb to the darkness that threatens to engulf us, a steadfast belief in the power of compassion to overcome even the most entrenched prejudices and animosities. It requires us to confront our own biases and prejudices, to challenge the status quo, and to strive for a world where love and understanding prevail. Let us espouse a philosophy of nonviolence and love as the most potent weapons in the struggle against oppression and injustice. Remaining steadfast in our commitment to love and compassion, inspiring movements that transform societies and alter the course of history, through continued acts of loving kindness and compassion. Standing in love also means acknowledging our interconnectedness with all living beings and recognizing that our actions have far-reaching consequences. It requires us to extend our compassion not only to our fellow human beings but also to the natural world and all its inhabitants. It is a recognition that we are all part of a vast and intricate web of life, and that our well-being is inextricably linked to the well-being of others. In a world that often seems divided and fractured, the courage to stand in love offers a ray of hope – a reminder that even in our darkest moments, love has the power to heal, to unite, and to transcend. It challenges us to look beyond any seeming differences and to see the love in each other, to approach even our most bitter adversaries with empathy and understanding. Ultimately, the courage to stand in love is not just an individual endeavor but a collective one. It requires us to come together as a global community, to bridge the divides that separate us, and to work towards a more just, compassionate, and inclusive world for all. No doubt a journey fraught with challenges and setbacks, but one that offers the promise of a brighter future for generations to come. So let us embrace this courage with open hearts and open minds, and let us stand together in love, for love is the greatest force for change the world has ever known….the healer of all wounds. Nigel Lott Get full access to Tea and Zen - Meditation Sans Frontieres at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe

Get full access to Tea and Zen - Meditation Sans Frontieres at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe

"Here, soar not with wings, but with your moving hands, feet, and sweating brows - standing by your beloved's side, reaching out to comfort this world with your cup of solace drawn from your vast reservoir of truth." “This statement is a clarion call to embrace a compassionate and benevolent attitude towards every life form encountered in life, in thought word and deed. In emphasizing the importance of treating others with care, empathy, and understanding, regardless of their background, beliefs, or circumstances. By embodying love and kindness in our interactions, we contribute to fostering a more harmonious and supportive environment for all, so desperately needed now.” Nigel Lott “There is no greater gift that I can give another sentient life form other than doing whatever I can, in thought, word or deed than to remind them of their true nature, of a love beyond measure that resides at the heart of all.” Nigel Lott Get full access to Tea and Zen - Meditation Sans Frontieres at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe

At 6pm next Monday, March 25th, 2024, Pacific Standard Time, I will be leading a meditation and visualization session for world peace via Zoom channel 416-802-6012. Please join if you're able. I'll be opening the channel at 5:45 pm to admit participants and will close entry at 6:05 pm to maintain focus during the meditation. There's no passcode required; simply enter and take a seat. You're welcome to appear on camera or remain anonymous. Your presence is valued; the only prerequisite is an open heart, which I hope to nurture further during our time together. Nigel Lott teaandzen.org Get full access to Tea and Zen - Meditation Sans Frontieres at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe

YOU…are sacred. Get full access to Tea and Zen - Meditation Sans Frontieres at teaandzen.substack.com/subscribe