jai -ใจ
One of the most commonly used words in Thai, jai is a central concept in our culture. It represents the heart, mind, & spirt. It is the essence of who we are and how we move through the world.
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My name is Salanya. Some of you may know me by my middle name, Angel.
I am the steward of this space that is Jai.
seed
During my seven years as a bartender, I observed a handful of things. One: in this city of 3.8 million people, many feel lonely, disconnected, and lost. Two: Thai Angel was a watering hole, a haven, and a second home to a lot of folks in the neighborhood & even those far beyond it. Three: there are countless beautiful & gifted people among them, whose art truly deserves to be witnessed & celebrated.
These observations planted the seed to create a space where people could take a break from alcohol-centered environments, be more present, connect more deeply, and share their thoughts & talents with one another.
Thai Angel already provides a nourishing space for people to come together in many of these ways. Jai offers a different style of gathering for people to choose from.
Additionally, as I study herbalism, I wanted to weave in a way for people to not only connect with themselves & each other, but also reconnect with nature — by exploring the power of the plants used in herbal teas and the abundance of care & nourishment they offer. Through this, I hope to empower others to discover their own relationship with plants: to recognize the support, wisdom, and healing available to them when they choose to listen & commune with the natural world.
Lastly, in this digital age, many of us find ourselves swept up in endless doomscrolling, searching for validation, or chiseling ourselves down into a one-dimensional, brandable version of self — commodifying our gifts and pouring our attention & creativity into algorithms, rather than cultivating them in the real world. Our gifts, curiosity, and sense of belonging aren’t meant to be dissolved into a pixelated plane — they are meant to be rooted in the real world, where they can be truly received, slowly digested, and allowed to create deep impact & lasting ripples. Jai is an invitation to come back home to that.
fruit
All of these aspects woven together created the vision of a community space where the tea sets the tone & the plants infused in them are homies in facilitating a safe space for us to come together to slow down, connect & share.
Though this is “my” project, from the moment I began to even dream of building it, it was always in my head as our space. It may not be big, but I know it told hold big dreams & big love. I invite all who feel inspired by the space to create anything they feel called to here. Some of my own dreams are workshops, storytelling events, & just keepin it light n vibin out to some good music.
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In its construction, over 20 community members had their hands in building this space. I am so grateful for each & every one of them. In investing in this space, I was able to also invest in the people around me. That’s pretty fricken dope okkk! The goal is to continue to do that.
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I am open to ideas, feedback & help! Feel free to connect & share your dreams with me.
