The Tea Connection
By Thia McKann, owner of The Path of Tea
As the New Year begins we think about what we want to create for the coming year. Things like good health, new directions, more prosperity, and more creativity make most lists. For me, what came up over and over was connection; Co-operation and connection as the new ways to enrich our lives and create success. The old way of climbing the ladder, stepping on others does not serve us any longer. Working together is the surest way to accomplish our hopes and dreams.
Tea is the perfect vehicle for this. When sitting with a cup of tea and a good friend everything seems possible. Sharing conversations and ideas creates something new that we might not come to on our own.
If we look at its ancient history, tea has been at the center of family and social life. It has been used in ceremony to remind us of things that are important in our lives: harmony, purity, respect and tranquility. It serves us as a way to disconnect from the stresses of the day and connect with deeper truths. It fosters compassion and kindness towards ourselves and others. It uplifts, it relaxes, it inspires; it links the inner with the outer and, benefits the health of our body.
Tea is not a beverage we can drink fast….even when we try…one sip of tea, a deep breath and we become aware of the moment. We cannot change the past; the future has not yet happened…we only have this moment. We tend to look at tea as something from the past, but we must see the "now" of tea…a vehicle of change…a vehicle of health….and, a vehicle of connection. It is our choice.
To honor what tea has meant to those who have gone before us and, appreciate the ceremonies and rituals that have taken place for hundreds of years, we can bring them to life.
We can perform anywhere, and in a few minutes, our own tea ceremony by transforming that time with a friend into a simple ritual, preparing our tea with the intention of offering nourishment and good wishes to the other person.
While seated together, rather than drinking the tea right away, let's look at one another and express gratitude and appreciation for the friendship. The pouring of the tea can be intended as an offering. Then, slowly drink the tea, savoring its flavor and aroma. Allow its warmth, or its coolness, to soothe the body. And to finish this nourishing ritual, thank your friend for taking part in it.
Whether savored in the presence of another or tasted alone, the custom of drinking tea provides a soothing pause in our hectic world. Drinking tea can be a daily practice to bring inner calm and clarity to the body, mind, and soul.
When thinking about how tea connects us, the Japanese have a wonderful saying: ichi-go…ichi-ee. It means one meeting; one opportunity…A moment that can never be recreated.
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