Tea Session & Complimentary Cave Tour, A Journey Through Inner and Outer Worlds
With Rob Douglas & Rock Ward
Saturday, September 20
9-11am (Sinks Cave)
1 - 3pm (Owl Cave)
Location: Water Sinks Karst Preserve
Highland, Virginia
Price $30 per person
Join Rob Douglas and Rock Ward for an extraordinary experience that weaves together the mindful practices of tea with the profound mystery of cave exploration. This intimate gathering invites you to explore the interplay between our inner landscapes and the hidden worlds beneath our feet.
This unique experience offers a rare opportunity to journey both inward through the meditative act of sharing tea and outward into the ancient geological formations that lie hidden beneath our everyday world. Come discover what emerges when we slow down, tune in, and explore the profound connections between inner awareness and the natural world around us.
We’ll begin with a gongfu-inspired tea session, sharing carefully selected Camellia sinensis leaves from China and Taiwan in a contemplative practice that awakens the senses. Beyond taste and aroma, this guided exploration invites you to attune to tea as a living presence.
From there, we’ll descend into the cave—a slow, mindful walk through the subterranean world. As we move through shadow and stone, the cave becomes a space of reflection, silence, and sensory exploration. Together, we’ll honor darkness not as absence, but as a doorway to deeper presence.
Event Details
- Location: Water Sinks Karst Preserve, Highland County, VA
- What to Bring: Comfortable walking shoes and layers, water bottle
- Suitable for: Over the age of 18, and capable of walking on uneven surfaces in darkness
- Morning Session, Sinks Cave - Space is limited to 12 people
- Afternoon Session, Owl Cave - Space is limited to 6 people
About The Water Sinks Karst Preserve & Nature Sanctuary
Nestled in the legendary Burnsville Cove, The Water Sinks sits at the heart of a renowned cave conservation region with over 90 underground miles, including two National Natural Landmarks. For more than a century, cave explorers have been drawn to this area, discovering and studying the secrets hidden beneath the surface. The Butler Cave Conservation Society carefully manages these caves on behalf of private landowners who graciously welcome visitors to explore the trails, karst boardwalk, and open caves.
About Rock Ward
When I was ten years old, my family took me to Grand Caverns in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. I loved seeing the fascinating limestone formations; however a life changing moment occurred for me when the lights were briefly extinguished. The darkness, the absolute infinite blackness, opened a door of mystery and adventure for me that continues today. I am drawn to find what silent wonders will be revealed in the land below the sunlight. Mystical experiences underground have enriched my life. I have stories to tell and I offer you the opportunity to join me on a brief journey into what lies beneath the grassy hillsides of The Watersinks in Highland County.
About Rob Douglas
When I first became curious about tea, it wasn’t simply about the drink itself, but rather how it brought me into the present moment through preparation and awareness. Over the past twenty-plus years, my path with tea has led me around the globe to explore related mindfulness practices and the expansive beauty of this gift from the natural world. Whether learning from tea growers and teachers or sharing iterative, slow steeps with friends, I’ve found that tea offers a simple yet powerful way to ground ourselves in the present moment and connect more deeply with one another. These days, what I enjoy most is gathering with friends—new and old—and opening up to the stories each cup may offer. In this upcoming gathering, we invite you to slow down with us and discover what these magical leaves can bring to your life, as we prepare to explore the inner worlds of both Highland County and self.
View the Full Program Offering on the Living Arts Gathering website.
Contact info@livingartsgathering.com with any questions.