Hi! I'm Nakeem (He/Him), and I am the steward of Guan Yin House. I'm a long-time meditator that works with sound, tea, and poetry as ways of being present and ways to tend to the soul. I'm not particularly active on social media, but you can find me on Instagram @nakeempurkiss The 'We' pronouns throughout this FAQ include myself as well as the physical space, the land, the beings of spirit and place, and so on.

A source of inspiration for Guan Yin House comes from the Tea Hermit traditions of China and Japan. Frank Inzan Owen defines “Tea Hermit” as "...The one who cultivates the soul of place, who extends hospitality to the stranger, inviting all who visit the vast spinning cosmos of the 10 x 10 hut to absorb the Great Truth of What Is in a simple cup of tea.” The bundle of leaves that we call tea is a community that “evokes the you of you” as Po Rosenberg puts it. In the same way that we steep tea to bring forth the essence, tea steeps us. Reminds us that there is a quiet joy in being who and what we are. Tea is gentle enough for regular consumption by highly sensitive people, powerful on an energetic level, and has the capacity to put us in touch with the nature of our heart and the hearts of those we share a cup with. And it’s enjoyable to drink!

No, you do not need to be in crisis. It could be as simple as a persistent feeling that there is something lacking in your life, or a knowing that there is something here for you, even if you don't know what it is. If there is something here that is resonating with you, that is enough.

We ask visitors to take off their shoes and put their phone on silent while they are here. Our hardwood floors run cold (particularly in the winter), so you may want to wear socks or bring pair of indoor slippers. We want you to be warm and comfortable while you're here!

You are welcome to add the email address for each guest you would like to bring with you to your registration. We are currently able to serve tea for up to 4 people. Please do not bring your pets. While we do have 3 cats living our home, you won't see them while you're here.

What is offered here is offered freely as our gift to you. If you feel a desire or calling to give, share, or offer your own gift after our time together, you are welcome to do so.

You can cancel or reschedule via your appointment confirmation email. We ask for a minimum of 24 hours notice prior to your scheduled visit.