Letters From The Heart // Artist Proof 3/003
By Depole Design
“ The most precious gift we can offer anyone is our attention. When mindfulness embraces those we love,
They will bloom like flowers.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
Greenspaces are the lifeblood of any city, and NYC is no exception. The East Village was the epicenter of this movement to preserve pockets of land that were left abandoned during the 1970s and 1980s. It was filled with artists and change-makers who reclaimed the vacant lots and transformed them into multifaceted gardens. Each community garden is like a microcosm of the world, unique and rich in its diversity. Once a year, they all open their gates to invite the Spring Awakening Parade to bless each of the gardens.
The L.U.N.G.S. organization (Loisaida United Neighborhood Gardens) created the parade and invites anyone who wishes to make a costume for the event. It was founded in 2011 as a force to promote, protect, and preserve community gardens. Every year, the costumes become increasingly elaborate and laden with messages about global warming. They plan costume-making workshops in the community gardens. Inviting and engaging a battalion of volunteers each year ensures the expression of endless creativity. This year, the collection of costumes was particularly spectacular and notable.
I have been a member of the 6th & Ave B garden for decades. I confess to not being a masterful gardener, but I do love growing my vegetables and flowers. I sourced a variety of sunflowers from Iowa, known as the Skyscraper. I hope to be enjoying the shade of these nine-foot-high beauties this summer. Our garden hosts a robust schedule of events throughout the year, and we fundraise at our annual plant and bake sale.
We like to coordinate the dates of these events. The parade is the highlight of the day when the garden is filled with a panoply of human mushrooms, garden fairies, and sun kings. The heat was punishingly intense that day, and I was able to capture a photo of a unique species of vegetable in our greenhouse, as well as a variety of mushroom hats. I adore capturing the sun king devouring the cookies.
A few times a week, I meditate early in the morning in the garden. I have taken to resting on the roots of the largest tree in the very center. Often, sitting with my eyes open and shoes off, these mornings sustain me for the week. Living in an urban environment requires taking the time for what I refer to as a “ RESET”. This does not require a ticket or special planning. It does require taking a moment in your day to quiet your mind.
DRINKING TEA AS A MINDFULNESS PRACTICE
I was fortunate to have the opportunity to attend a silent retreat led by Thich Nhat Hanh. It was held many years ago in Boston, which I hold dear in memory and reflection. For those unfamiliar with the extraordinary being, he was a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, poet, and peace activist. He gifted the world with his teachings on mindfulness, compassion, and nonviolence. Dr Martin Luther King Jr nominated him for the Nobel Peace Prize. He passed away in 2022, leaving his heart to grace me and so many others in the world.
He would often speak of drinking tea as a meditation. Having lived in Japan, I especially responded to the aesthetics of the tea ritual. Every facet of the preparation, presentation, and serving was an art form unto itself. The “ Way of Tea” is an intimate relationship with oneself.
This was something extraordinary that Thich Nhat Hanh shared. He always had a unique way of looking at the simplest tasks with profound insight. It was a vehicle for staying present in the moment.
“ This cup of tea in my two hands is mindfulness held perfectly. My mind and body dwell in the here and now.” Thich Nhat Hanh
THE TEA PRACTICE
Choose to be present. Before you begin, make a conscious decision to be fully present with your tea. Could you let go of thoughts about the past or future? The only thing that matters is this moment with your tea.
Please prepare your tea carefully. As you prepare your tea—boiling water, selecting your cup, pouring the water—focus your attention entirely on each action. Notice the sounds, sights, and sensations. Pour the tea with care and awareness.
Hold your cup with both hands.
When your tea is ready, hold the cup in your two hands. Feel its warmth, weight, and texture. Let your body and mind dwell in the here and now.Breathe and center yourself.
Take a few slow, mindful breaths. With each inhale and exhale, bring yourself more fully into the present. Notice any tension in your body and allow it to soften.Observe the tea. Look at the color of the tea. Smell its aroma. Appreciate the steam rising from the cup. Let your senses fully experience the tea before taking a sip.
Drink slowly and reverently.
Take your first sip slowly, as if the world revolves around this single act. Savor the taste and the feeling of the tea in your mouth. Notice the journey as you swallow and feel the warmth spreading through your body.Please return to the present if your mind wanders.
If you have any thoughts or distractions, please acknowledge them and refocus your attention on the tea and the act of drinking. Each sip is a new opportunity to return to mindfulness.
Express gratitude
At the end of your tea, take a moment to feel gratitude for the tea, for yourself, for everyone involved in bringing the tea to you, and for the present moment.
“ Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the whole earth revolves- slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future. ”
Because a Mindful Home isn’t a choice, it’s essential to have a space to support how you live, work, and restore fully.
Kim Depole Interior Design (@depoledesign) • Instagram photos and videos
💻🏠 Transform your home into a personal sanctuary with my FREE Mindful Home Transformation Journal! It is packed with actionable tips to help you create a home that supports how you live, work, and restore one room at a time.
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Q: Our reader, Beth, asks, “Kim, does color affect how you feel in a space? I always paint everything white because I'm afraid to make a mistake. I fear I will grow tired of a color. What do I do? ”
Beth, to answer your question, absolutely YES. Color significantly affects how you feel in a space. Research and my years of experience indicate that colors can have a dramatic influence on mood, energy levels, and the perceived spaciousness or coziness of a room.
Warm colors, such as reds, oranges, and yellows, can create a sense of energy, warmth, and comfort; however, too much of them can feel overwhelming.
Cool colors such as blues, greens, and purples tend to be calming and can make a space feel more relaxing and restful.
Neutrals like whites, grays, and beiges offer a sense of openness and simplicity, but too much white can sometimes feel stark or impersonal.
I think my suggestion for you to overcome your FEAR of color is to introduce it slowly and intentionally. Start small with pillows, accessories, or art. Try introducing one color on one wall at a time. This is after you purchase large swatches of colors to test how you respond. To allow the passage of light within the space, observing morning, afternoon, and evening illumination.
You will know immediately if you prefer muted tones or bold colors. The muted tones are less overwhelming. Experiment with a layering process using neutral colors, such as taupe and a plum tone.
Remember to ENJOY the process. Paint is the easiest, fastest, and most economical way to transform your home.
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📕 Recommended Reading:
The Little Book of Awakening by Mark Nepo, N.Y. TIMES #1 Best Seller List
One of my absolute favorite poets and writers. His book, Awakenings, serves as a touchstone for my daily meditation practice. This petite version delivers the same deeply personal insights into your daily life.
❤️ Things I Love: The WHITNEY is always inspirational
LOUIS NEVELSON, through August 10th, is not to be missed—a reminder to visit the Chapel of the Good Shepherd, located in St Peter’s Lutheran Church, 619 Lexington Ave, N.Y.C. A sculptural environment in white that is a beautifully transporting experience. This church hosts a rich program of Music and Arts throughout the year.
🍎 Good Eats :
BOMBAY BISTRO After spending a month in India, I have been missing Indian food for months. I attended a luncheon today at the Bombay Bistro. The food was excellent, along with the interior. A cricket bat and a collection of Indian essentials, including bindis and my favorite Ayurvedic products, were on display. Dine and shop, my idea of nirvana.
Blessings, Kim Depole
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