The way of tea

A few years ago, I spent a week at a retreat with Thich Nhat Hanh (Thay) and attended a tea ceremony.  While it is not part of the dharma, it was strongly influenced by Zen.  Since then I have learned that there are schools and private lessons for tea ceremonies.  When I was in San Francisco, went to the Chinese markets very early in the morning and learned of matcha or green tea made of powdered tea leaves used in the original ceremony going back to the 12^th century book The Classic of Tea.  Every movement and gesture is made so that it coincides with the brew time for the tea and so you arrive at the first sip exactly at the apex of the tea brewing and temperature. The process of making the tea and sharing the tea is an opportunity to foster harmony with humanity and nature as well as discipline the mind and quiet the heart.  The way the utensils are laid out and the fingers touch the cup etc. is aesthetic.  In the process of the brew and pass there are insights into ethics and metaphysics.   You must be very focus, single minded and concentrate on the brewing and the tasting.  The warm cup in your hand, the cup on your lip, the liquid entering your body etc.  If you are in a Japanese house, they may have a special room just for tea ceremony and you purify yourself with water before you enter.  It is all done in silence.  The fire is built, the sandalwood incense put into the fire.  The water represents the yin and the fire the yang.  The water jar represents the sun – yang and the waste bowl the moon – yin. The matcha is kept in a silk pouch.  The preparation can go on for a very long time and in the end, the tea bowl is passed to the first and most honored guest who examines the beauty of the bowl, takes a sip, wipes the bowl, examines it and then passes to the next.  After everything is cleaned up and examined, a thin tea or usa cha is served – a cup to each and some sweets passed. At that point there is relaxation and conversation.   Ok, so yesterday, I had contact with several human “chickens without heads” doing the modern life dance of overwork, no priorities, ending the week empty and trying to fill holes with almost anything at hand.  Last night I got out the tea pot, my special tea bowl and made tea.  Taking time to hold the bowl and feel the warmth, smell the tea and sip and savor.  There is something very centering about stepping out of the main street rush and quieting the mind.  Your eyes become more clear and if only for a few moments… you know you are on the cushion, the earth will support you,  you are ok and you can feel the rhythm of your heart beat in a strong slow beat in harmony with your mindful and  best self…..

 and today… I’ll have a chai to go…