“When I drink Tea, there is only me and the Tea. The rest of the world dissolves. There are no worries about the future. No dwelling on past mistakes. “ Okakura Kakuzo
30 something years and Tea has been my constant. I have experiences in life that have made me appreciate the beverage a lot more than I ever did. Perhaps those years when I was in school and further on in college, it was something that huddled friends together and brought out the heartfelt conversations but as life moved on, it became the one thing that I reached out to when I wanted time for myself, by myself. I would reach out for my favourite mug and make myself a pot of Tea that synced with my mood without raising any questions what so ever.
I thankfully always had access to leaf Teas that unfurled and allowed me to immerse in the moment just like the leaves did. Life then flowed like water, calm with a ripple here and a ripple there but never disturbing.
And so my time with Tea became a part of my everyday life. I would begin the day and end with it. People around me spoke about meditation and I always told them that the only way I knew how to meditate was the time I spent with the two leaf and a bud.
So here is a ritual that I have lived with and I would recommend you welcome it with open arms if you would like to get away from the trials and tribulations of the world, the noise and the clutter. I once read somewhere that “when you hear the splash of the water drops that fall into the bowl you will feel that all the dust of your mind is washed away.” It was written by the Japanese Tea master who perfected the art of creating a Tea ceremony, Sen no Rikyu.
Find yourself the Tea that you would like to brew. The place around your home that connects with you the most, make it comfortable to sit while keeping clutter at bay. Make yourself a bowl of Tea (I prefer a Chawan as I love to wrap my fingers around it). The sound of the water heating is therapeutic just as the pouring of the Tea into the bowl is. Observe the steam unfurl. Keep the bowl of Tea in front of you on a mat. Close your eyes and breathe in deep. Follow it with 7 to 8 breaths and with each inhale and exhale bring in a sense of gratitude. Lift the bowl and hold it gently with love and acceptance and gratitude. Look into the bowl and feel the connect between the tea and you. Sip and allow the warmth of the Tea to flow through you finding its way through your being.
You may continue to be in silence. The time shared with Tea is healing. It is zen. Let the moment be. Observe and not do anything. One learns that Tea allows you to be.
Soothing Teas and Tisanes
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