Our theme for February in Tea & Contemplation is "Deep Listening." Winter is a very inward, reflective time of year, and perhaps a time where we are extra prone to absorbing excessive messages. Whether they originate internally from our own insecurities, or externally because we're just living in a period of nearly debilitating intake of everything, all the time.

This month, Adam and I sit with how to filter and tune out the noise, learning to tend to this inner monologue as a garden - one that needs frequent, attentive weeding.

Today's session is one for sitting with what we're hearing, even in our most painful moments, while honoring the call of our own sovereignty. (the recording of this session takes place as news of the invasion of Ukraine is breaking.)

We invite back into our space our friend and regular guest host, jess young chang, to lead our contemplation. jess is currently pursuing her Master's at Harvard Divinity School, with a focus on the nature of the body and the Divine in both Tantric and Christian traditions. She is also a yoga teacher, as well as women's health advocate, from Chicago, IL. You can reach Jess at http://www.adevotedyogi.com/.

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Tea & Contemplation is hosted by Suzette (‘Sooz’) Hammond - tea educator, tea contemplative practitioner, and founder of Being Tea - and Adam Grossi - artist, writer and yoga teacher. They are both based in Chicago, IL. You can connect with Adam on IG @adamgrossi and Sooz on IG @beingtea.

Tea & Contemplation is recorded as a live studio audience session, every Friday morning at 8am CST. Attendees of the live session get to participate in our lovely group discussion and sharing circle afterward (which is unrecorded), for communal support in the practice. So if you like what you experience here and think you might also enjoy practicing with community, please join us!

Tickets to join live sessions can be found at beingtea.com/teaandcontemplation.

Finally, just to note: This podcast is supported entirely by listeners like YOU! You can make one time "tip jar" gifts as a thank you anytime, or become a monthly supporter which includes tickets to our live weekly sessions. Just visit our support link at buymeacoffee.com/teaandcpodcast.