Tea with Gagan: Feeding the Good Wolf
On Sunday, May 4th (May the 4th be with you), our monthly gathering “Tea with Gagan” brought together members and guests for an afternoon of herbal tea, movement, and deep spiritual discussion. Zen monk Gagan led the session, joined by aspiring members Javier and Carol, pianist Alessandro, and members Mary and Victoria. The event was a beautiful blend of storytelling, meditation, and music, leaving everyone with valuable insights on nurturing positivity in their lives.
The Tale of the Two Wolves
Gagan shared an ancient Cherokee parable about an elder teaching his grandson about inner conflict. The grandfather describes a battle between two wolves within him—one representing darkness (anger, envy, greed, arrogance) and the other light (joy, peace, love, compassion). When the grandson asks which wolf wins, the grandfather replies, “The one you feed.”
This simple yet profound tale set the tone for the discussion: How do we nourish the good within us while starving negativity? Gagan offered wisdom on applying this lesson in daily life, especially in interactions with family, friends, and coworkers.
Feeding the Good Wolf
Gagan illustrated the concept with a touching personal story about his late grandmother. As a boy, she taught him how to make cavatelli pasta. Years later, after her passing, he recreated the recipe with his wife. As he kneaded the dough, he felt his grandmother’s presence—her love and guidance surrounding him. The emotion in his voice was palpable as he described this moment, showing how cherished memories and acts of love feed the good wolf.
Starving the Evil Wolf
To avoid feeding negativity, Gagan advised recognizing our trigger words—phrases that provoke an emotional reaction. For me, words like “lunatic” or “psycho” stir discomfort. He encouraged gently informing others when their language affects us. If they dismiss our feelings, it may be wise to limit interactions with them when possible. Setting boundaries helps prevent unnecessary conflict and keeps the “evil wolf” at bay.
Movement and Meditation
The group then engaged in a simple energy-gathering exercise—spreading arms wide, drawing energy upward, and guiding it down through the body. This was followed by a five-minute meditation, humorously interrupted by Mary’s joyful exclamation about her love for her boyfriend. Inner laughter filled our bodies, blending serenity with lightheartedness.
Alessandro accompanied the meditation with Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata, its gentle notes enhancing the peaceful atmosphere. He shared that Beethoven composed this piece out of unrequited love for an aristocratic student. Rather than succumbing to bitterness, Beethoven channeled his pain into music—feeding the good wolf through creativity. Alessandro, recovering from a hand injury, chose not to play the sonata’s more turbulent sections but emphasized how art transforms suffering into beauty.
Join Us Next Time!
The afternoon left everyone inspired to cultivate kindness, mindfulness, and joy in their lives. We invite you to our next Tea with Gagan in June, where more wisdom, movement, and music await.
For updates on this and other events, email [email protected] or call (929) 884-3564. We hope to see you soon!
