Sit Down and Feel at Ohm (Temple - Sacramento, CA)

Even offering three hundred bowls of food three times a day does not match the spiritual merit gained in one moment of love. -Nagarjuna

Nagarjuna was definitely on to something. Too bad he didn't get to have tea at Temple, Sacramento's shibbiest tea house. I bet he would have achieved Nirvana right after he had his first sip or nibbled his first scone. Here, it's moment after moment of love.

I was lucky enough to meet my uber adorable Cake Grrl there and chat it up for a lovely brunch recently. She suggested the place and I had always wanted to drop by after hearing such fabu reviews about it. Let me tell you, it certainly lives up to its reputation! Sitting down, we were able to experience a few moments of tranquility and unravel a few of life's lessons. Let me share a few...

Bliss is attained through stillness and acceptance. Dried, pure mint leaves steeped in steamed coconut milk and honey, is also an acceptable form of Bliss. Just sweet and herbal enough, to allow one to truly flow through samsara.

Man cannot live on bread alone, but a tasty fresh strawberry scone will do in a pinch. As will any of the other yummy pastries.

Venerable Cheng Yen notes, "Happiness does not come from having much, but from being attached to little." Yet, one can easily be attached to the various chai mixes that adorn the shelves. Cardamom chai is always a welcome source of happiness.

Take nothing with you, for the only important possession is wisdom... and a bag of tea for the road, as Temple has a wide variety of herbal, black, green, and chai teas which can easily be purchased in whatever quantities. Perfect for the longest of journeys of self awareness.

Rely on the meaning, not just the words. Rely on the subtlety of taste, not just the caffeine. The variety of coffees and preparations will please the casual drinker or the aficionado.

The 14th Dalai Lama notes, "The creatures that inhabit this earth-be they human beings or animals-are here to contribute, each in its own particular way, to the beauty and prosperity of the world." Yet he has not dealt with the flies of Temple. An open door policy is always welcome, but one does not want to incur bad karma after killing too many flies disturbing one's meal.

"Admire the beauty around you," a task that has never been so easy. Temple allows for the pinnacle of relaxation with their cozy easy chairs and booths, exposed brick, clever paint, and abundance of pillows and even a blanket or two. A perfect place to meditate.

Be one with the world and all that is in it, which is easy to do with knowledgeable staff, free WiFi, and being open 365 days a year. The people behind the counter are the perfect teachers, listen to not just what they say, but the knowledge they grant.

After chatting a bit and absorbing the universe's knowledge, it dawned on CG and I that over 90 minutes had passed. We snapped a picture or two, realizing we inhaled the tea before we knew it, and parted down our separate paths. Each more enlightened than before.

Temple Fine Coffee and Tea
1014 10th Street
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 443-4960