As autumn settles in, I’ve been thinking about the value of turning inward—slowing down, releasing what no longer serves us, and returning to what truly matters. Simple rituals, like Leaves in a Bowl, are small ways to step back from daily distraction, creating moments of stillness and presence that mirror the deeper experience of retreat.
This season reminds us that retreat, in its many forms—from these small daily practices to longer, more immersive experiences—creates space for reflection, clarity, and connection to what truly matters.
Tea Practice: Leaves in a Bowl
One of the oldest methods of brewing tea, Leaves in a Bowl offers an opportunity to return to simplicity, presence, and mindfulness. Unlike teapots or complex brewing rituals, this method uses large-leaf teas steeped directly in the bowl, eliminating all unnecessary tools. The practice is a direct reflection of Metal qualities: clarity, refinement, and the ability to strip away what isn’t needed to focus on the essentials.
This is not just a brewing method — it is a meditation, a ritual, and a space to reconnect with your body, your senses, and the passage of time.
How to Practice Leaves in a Bowl
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Gather your materials: Select a bowl, hot water, and large-leaf tea. Larger leaves are essential because there is no strainer; they hold their shape and don’t end up in your mouth, though eating a leaf is harmless.
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Fluff the leaves: Bring them to the surface by gently shaking or fluffing the leaves in a separate bowl or the bag itself. This step encourages awareness and intention in preparation.
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Add the leaves to your bowl: Start with just a few, letting the space in the bowl create room for movement.
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Pour with intention: Pour hot water toward the outer edge of the bowl, tracing the outer ring of a bullseye if you imagine one at the bottom. This technique creates a gentle whirlpool, gathering leaves to the center and preventing any single leaf from over-steeping.
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Pause and observe: Let the leaves settle, inhaling the aroma, admiring the color, and watching the movement of the leaves as the tea infuses.
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Sip mindfully: Enjoy each sip fully, noticing the flavor, the warmth, and the presence this simple act brings to the moment.
Choosing the Right Tea
Not every tea works for this method. The leaves must be large and sturdy, and the tea should tolerate a longer brew. Unlike teapots, where infusion times are measured in seconds, Leaves in a Bowl steep continuously. Gentler flavors work best at first, as stronger, more astringent teas may become overwhelming over time. With experience, you may explore more robust or earthy teas, finding subtleties in oversteeped bowls that reveal new dimensions of flavor.
This practice fosters a beginner’s mind, encouraging curiosity and presence with every cup. Even after years of tea practice, each bowl offers new sensory experiences, teaching us patience, attention, and appreciation for simplicity.
Five Element Reflection: Metal Season
Autumn, in the Five Element system, is the domain of Metal. Metal’s energy is about clarity, discernment, and inward reflection. It invites us to release what no longer serves us, creating space for insight and refinement. The Equinox marks the point when day and night are in balance, reminding us to balance our inner and outer lives.
Metal season is an ideal time for intentional retreat, whether personal, local, or immersive:
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Personal At-Home Retreat: Dedicate a day to tea, journaling, silent reflection, walking in nature, or any mindful practice. Turn off notifications, close the door, and cultivate a space of spaciousness and calm.
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Weekend Escape: Step away from your usual environment, allowing the rhythms of nature and a new setting to support deeper reflection and perspective.
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Immersive Experiences: Attending a structured retreat or intensive program, like Hold Nothing, provides guidance, community, and a deeper framework to turn inward, reflect, and reconnect with your core.
By embracing this inward orientation, we honor stillness, release distractions, and cultivate clarity, providing a foundation for growth and renewal in the months ahead.
What Are We Drinking? Leaves in a Bowl: Treebeard
Treebeard: Ancient Tree Big Leaf Shou Puerh 2025 is a tea that perfectly complements autumnal reflection and Metal energy. Harvested from ancient trees in Lincang, Yunnan, Treebeard offers large, healthy leaves ideal for Leaves in a Bowl. Its brew is date-sweet with subtle notes of sourdough and chocolate, delivering a thick, creamy body with a long, satisfying finish.
This tea is gentle yet uplifting — an invitation to root yourself while lifting your energy, creating a sense of balance and presence. Its moderate patience allows 7–8 steepings, giving you ample opportunity to settle into slow, mindful practice.
Art We’re Loving: Aflame by Pico Iyer
Pico Iyer’s memoir, Aflame: Learning from Silence, explores the transformative power of solitude, silence, and intentional retreat. Drawing on experiences at a hermitage in Big Sur and other periods of withdrawal, Iyer illuminates how stepping back from the busyness of life can foster clarity, insight, and presence.
For those attuning to the Metal element, this book is a guide to turning inward, embracing stillness, and cultivating spaciousness, making it a perfect companion for Leaves in a Bowl practice, at-home retreats, or any moment of quiet reflection.
Friends of Living Tea: Lan Su Chinese Garden (Portland, OR)
Lan Su Chinese Garden is far more than a botanical garden — it’s a living work of art where Chinese tradition, architecture, history, and nature merge in perfect harmony.
Hosting over 500 cultural and botanical programs annually, the garden celebrates authentic Chinese culture while uplifting the AANHPI communities. Its Yun Shui Teahouse offers a serene space to sip, savor, and find inspiration. Guests can enjoy freshly brewed teas, small bites, and traditional gaiwan preparation, taking home teas and teaware to continue the practice of mindfulness in their own space.