⊙ the treehouse ⊚ is a pop up meditation studio in Fort Greene

Copy this idea. I’ll help you.

Most Mondays for the last 3 months, I’ve had a few friends and friend-friends™ come over to my apartment for a relaxed evening hang to start the week.

Around 5pm, I order a spread of shareable Mediterranean plates to be delivered later that night. I carefully lift my coffee table from my living room into the bedroom to open the floor space. I prepare a big pot of tea, hide any sign of screen, lay some cushions on the ground, light the candles, set the lights, get the music right and, for a moment, pay attention to my breath.

My apartment becomes ⊙ the treehouse ⊙ .

Before everyone arrives

A grab bag of faces arrive around 7pm. Friends from high school, from out of town, from last weekend’s wedding party, whoever. Everyone eventually finds a seat and a cup of tea. I ask them where they’re coming from and where they’re trying to go. The music becomes more of a dreamscape. Sasha orients and guides the group through a 30 minute meditation. Everyone goes somewhere. Everyone stays right here. A bell rings. We all stretch, slowly take a few minutes to share what’s alive, snap back into eye contact. I pivot the playlist, raise the volume. Tom Misch and friends bring the groove. Everyone helps themselves to some hummus, spanikopita and falafel, and bond on the floor of the treehouse until about 10pm. Everybody leaves. I clean up and make it home again. I sleep by 11:30pm. I do it again the next week with whoever is free to join.

Before everyone leaves

Almost 40 people have come so far. Most of them more than once. Lots of friends are becoming friends with each other. I’ve been meditating more than zero times a week. I’m remembering how good to feels to bring people who don’t know each other with a loose but safe container. A lot of them don’t meditate but feel good about giving it a shot at this gathering because it’s relaxed, warm and homey. I’m also remembering that I’m, like, really good at crafting a vibe. I do it for myself because I love making a home that feels good, but there is something so satisfying about being able to share that with others. Gathering is a muscle I love exercising, and when I do it regularly, my attention to detail and process gets so dialed in. It feels good. I also get to watch Sasha, one of my closest friends for over ten years, shine in his capacity as a meditation guide (he’s really, really good.)

Sometimes, organizing this weekly takes a lot of time and energy, but watching people from across my social universe connect with each other after going inward for 30 minutes in my home is uniquely satisfying. I’ve gotten planning and execution down to a mostly clean and straightforward process, and I’m excited to get more creative with this weekly mindfulness, hospitality and community building practice. Every week is a little different, and I’m staying open minded to how it evolves over time.

And yes, it is giving Tea With Strangers, and no, I’m not intending on “making this a thing.” I think more people should do this sort of thing at their homes.

If I can help you copy this in your own world—or if you’re in Brooklyn and want to come to ⊙ the treehouse ⊙ sometime, comment or shoot me a message on Instagram @ankitistrying.