Tea with Gagan: Rooted in Presence, Rising in Peace 🌿

We gathered once again in the Fountain House living room for our monthly tradition—Tea with Gagan—on Sunday, July 27th, 2025. The space buzzed with quiet anticipation and warmth as Gagan, a Zen Buddhist monk rooted in the Korean tradition, invited us into a deeply reflective and joyfully connected evening.

With humility and wisdom passed through centuries of dharma, Gagan opened by inviting us to imagine the “universal tree”—a metaphor for our shared origin. Gesturing to our belly buttons, he explained that they mark where our “stems” once connected us to our mothers, and to their mothers, and so on. Through this lens, we are all part of one great, living organism. Though our stems have been physically severed, our spiritual connection remains—a reminder that beneath our shifting emotions and passing thoughts lies a steady, blissful awareness that observes it all.

We grounded this idea with a gentle movement meditation: feet apart, breathing in as we raised our arms skyward, breathing out as we lowered them. Then, with imaginary trees embraced, we sank closer to the earth on each exhale, feeling into our rootedness. The room swayed with silent reverence and a few amused smiles.

One participant brought up a sleepless “mind attack.” Gagan offered practical advice: jot down three or four core thoughts keeping the mind restless. Putting them on paper offers reassurance—they’ll wait until morning. Then meditate, he said, letting the thoughts soften and the body rest.

When asked about anger, Gagan likened it to heat—it can blaze if fed. He candidly shared his own moment of frustration at a car shop that accepted only cash, disrupting his plans. He reflected that to handle anger skillfully, we must notice it, stop fueling it, and let it rise and pass without judgment.

We closed with meditation and the resonant hum of Gagan’s singing bowl. Some of us floated in calm. Others grappled with lingering thoughts—housing concerns, future plans. One participant shared how his son, who is nonverbal and autistic, continues to teach him about joy and presence. A moment of quiet gratitude circled the room.

Thanks to Mike Brown and the evening/weekend crew, we sipped herbal tea and lingered in the afterglow of shared wisdom. Tea with Gagan is more than a monthly event—it’s a reminder to root down, rise gently, and remember the quiet strength of being connected.

To be a part of future events, please connect with me via daniel.frey@fountainhouse.org or 929-884-3564. Have a blessed weekend!