The Dentist and the Monk: Stains / Stillness
Based on the title, you’re probably thinking this Juxtapost is just a setup for a bad joke. A dentist and monk walk into a bar, right?
Nope, don’t worry - no punchline here.
Just a quick and light-hearted reflection on a recent contradiction that got me thinking.
When I launched Juxtapost, I promised the posts would be bite-sized. So far, though, most of them have tipped the scale more toward a full meal. So today’s entry is definitely fun-sized. A quick sip. A refreshing little pause.
Recently, during a routine visit to my dentist, my hygienist pointed out some minor staining on my teeth and asked if I drank coffee or tea. When I admitted that I do enjoy a daily cup of coffee and sip on tea throughout the day, she offered this suggestion: drink it as quickly as you can to minimize staining.
As logical and well-intended as that advice was, it immediately brought to mind a quote by the renowned Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh:
“Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the whole earth revolves – slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future. Live the actual moment. Only this actual moment is life.”
I was struck by the stark contrast between these two pieces of advice. An immediate, relevant day-to-day juxtaposition!
One was grounded in practicality and health - minimize exposure to staining agents. The other was an invitation to presence - savor each sip as a spiritual practice.
This juxtaposition is a perfect example of how life often presents us with seemingly contradictory wisdom, each valuable in its own context. Like most things, the resolution isn’t about choosing one over the other, but rather about finding balance and making conscious choices.
My perspective is that if I've chosen to participate, then I want to participate fully. Having said that, I'm a one-cup-a-day coffee drinker. I enjoy coffee and tea as a ritual. I believe as Thich Nhat Hanh taught, although I'm definitely not as disciplined as a Buddhist monk, that I should take my tea or coffee when I know that I'm going to be able to sit down and be present with it - even if it stains my teeth.
I think that compromise, that harmonizing mentality, can be applied to a lot of decision-making in life. Because sometimes it feels like we’re being asked to choose between one or the other, black or white, good or bad. But, life is rarely that binary - more often it’s a spectrum with lots and lots of context. So, when faced with decisions about my health or wellbeing, I want to engage fully, accept the wide spectrum of impact, and move forward with intention.
Next Steps:
🧠 Think about it - What’s a regular habit in your life that has both benefits and drawbacks? How might you engage with it more intentionally - even if it’s not perfect?
💬 Talk about it - Have you ever received two completely different pieces of advice that were both right, depending on the context? I’d love to hear how you found your own balance. Leave a comment or reply to one of my emails.
👉 Want more weekly reflections like this? Sign up for the email list to get each new Juxtapost in your inbox.
