Chanoyu: What Have You Been Studying for So Long?

I have been studying Chanoyu, commonly referred to in English as the Japanese Tea Ceremony, for 7.5 years as of this writing. While my sensei considers me an intermediate student, in many ways I feel like a beginner. 

I'm almost universally met with a "Wow!" when I share that I've been studying for this long. And what most folks are too polite to ask is, "What's taking so long?" :-)  It's a fair question!

First, there isn't one "tea ceremony." There are many variations, based on numerous factors such as season, guests, occasion, utensils, location and much more. Also, the further into my studies I go, the more complicated and lengthy the procedures become.

Second, it's physically demanding! It's hard (at least for me) to sit on my knees for long periods. Add to that the need to walk in a specific manner, make each movement with deliberation, and rise gracefully from the kneeling position (with precious tea utensils in my hands). It takes practice, conditioning, and skill to make this all look effortless. There is much to be learned! 

Third, we learn about many Japanese art forms and much history as we go. This includes the art and craft of pottery, ceramics, iron, bamboo, calligraphy, lacquer, wood, incense, flowers and more. We learn and tell stories about the tea utensils and the people who have made them.

And finally, I've referred so far to Chanoyu, which means hot water for tea. The term Chado, or the way of tea, is another expression, one of great depth, used for tea ceremony. There are four grounding principles in the tea ceremony: Harmony, Respect, Purity and Tranquility. To me, Chado expresses the spirit one has when approaching tea ceremony with discipline, mindfulness and care, and when attempting to apply the four principles to life.

Like ballet or painting or writing, there are elements of both discipline and art that can be studied, practiced and honed over a lifetime. One of my favorite experiences of tea ceremony was when I was invited to a tea gathering in Nara, Japan a few years ago (as a guest of my sensei). We watched as women well into their 70s and 80s practiced tea, with their sensei being nearly 90. They moved fluidly through the steps of the ceremony and appeared to radiate with their love of tea. May I be so fortunate!

Making Space

Photo by Ana Martinez

“When tea becomes ritual, it takes its place at the heart of our ability to see greatness in small things. Where is beauty to be found? In great things that, like everything else, are doomed to die, or in small things that aspire to nothing, yet know how to set a jewel of infinity in a single moment?” 

~ Muriel Barbery, The Elegance of the Hedgehog

Hello, fellow tea lovers - Wow, my blogging has slowed dramatically!  There are a number of reasons, but one is that I am making space for some new things in my life. My tea studies in Chado continue to grow and delight me, and I have recently begun a journey of facilitating writing workshops. Tea and writing are such good friends!

I will continue to blog, though less frequently.  I love hearing from you and appreciate your participation in this conversation about tea and life around it. Thank you!

Happy Earth Day! And Morning Cup of Tea by Walterrean Salley

Thank you to Walterrean Salley for this lovely poem.  It very much captures my feelings about tea in the early morning and fit perfectly with this photo I snapped of a sunrise back in January.

Tea Alone

"When we cannot bear to be alone, it means we do not properly value the only companion we will have from birth to death - ourselves."  ~Eda LeShan (1922-2002)

Sharing tea with others is a primary source of happiness in my life.  I love it!  Equally important, I am learning that I need quiet time to myself to truly thrive (and this is coming from an extrovert!)  I've written before on this topic here and here, and yet it continues to come up as a subject for me to discuss in this blog.  It must be an important message to myself.

Do you make space in your life for alone time?  Does tea play a role?  Do you sometimes meditate or read an inspiring book?  Do you sit quietly?  Do you daydream or doodle?  Do you listen to music or the sounds of nature? 

I crave/need a resting place for my brain, a time to allow it to settle and relax and not be so busy, busy.  I'm learning how meditation works for me, and like any new skill it takes patience and practice.  A sip of tea can be my encourager and my place of rest.

The Working Girl and the Privileged

I'm enjoying these two new thimble-sized teacups I picked up at the Chinese Garden. I'm calling them the Working Girl and the Privileged. They are both me.

I'm a conscientious and hardworking employee. I give a lot to my employer.  I manage through the turmoil and stresses - along with the benefits  - of corporate life.

I'm also privileged, simply by being born an American into a middle class family. I have an advanced education which affords me some job flexibility and security. I have a safe home. I have a loving  husband, family and friends.

I take none of this for granted. I often think of how lucky I am to simply have been granted life into my family, this century, my geography. And I wonder how I can be of service in this world to so many who don't have the same.

Perspective

I like the challenge of this photo.  It makes my brain work hard to truly see it.  The gaiwan on the right is the apparent focus, with its bright color and crisper image.  Yet my eye is pulled toward the soft focus of the teapot on the left.  I have a hard time reconciling the two. The challenge gives me a reason to study the photo at length. The color contrasts, light reflection and textures play into this, too.  I see this picture best when I push my chair away and look at it from a distance, with a new perspective.  When I'm too close, my brain can't make it make sense.

Sometimes my life is like that, with parts that don't quite fit together, each pulling for attention in different ways. I see things better when I remember to push the chair away and look at them from a distance.

Happy Summer Solstice!

Quiet Time

I'm married to an introvert.  Over the years I've come to acknowledge, then accept, then appreciate and now admire his need for quiet time. In fact, even though I'm an extrovert I need and crave quiet time, too.  (Watch this Ted Talk by Susan Cain, author of Quiet, to learn more.) 

One of the things I love about the Wu-Wo tea ceremony is its mix of social time and quiet time.  There is designated time and space for both.  What a great blend!

When I was touring Taiwan, I had several opportunities to drink tea in silence (Wu-Wo and other times).   I found it peaceful, centering and sometimes challenging.   When I came home, I served tea to the DH and we sat with it in silence. 

Drinking tea in the quiet is a great way to reconnect with ourselves.   

Taiwan Day 3: Wu-Wo

Wu-Wo was born in Taiwan, and so it was with special excitement that we had the opportunity to participate in a Wu-Wo circle while here. We met with Steven R. Jones (aka Icetea Icetea) and students from the Lu Yu Tea Culture Institute.

We had the opportunity to brew, serve and drink tea together in silence, to share tea with observers and strangers, to listen to beautiful song, to discuss our experience and to learn.

For me, the most touching thing is how we shared this meaningful experience together regardless of language and culture. Thank you to Steven and the Lu Yu Tea Culture Institute for hosting us!

Busy Week! Stop for the Flowers

It's been a busy, busy week at work for me!  I've worked hard to avoid letting the frenetic pace around me suck me in.  I want to stay centered.  One way I do that, and it's small but mighty, is to look at flowers.  Seriously - flower power to the rescue! 

I took flowers into the office and for a few seconds, mere seconds, twice a day I admired them and took deep breaths.  It helps.

Life Unfurling

The Unfurled Life of a Buddha Hand Tea

I blogged only once last week.  Usually in this situation I apply pressure to myself to "get something up!" and feel a little stressed about it.  Today, I am working on simply noticing...
- that I've been busy
- that I feel tension about not blogging
- that I am the source of that tension
- that everything is OK just as it is

This practice of noticing is homework from a class I'm taking that includes meditation, yoga and other mindfulness skills.  The class is difficult, the homework is challenging and time-consuming.  It's all worth the effort.  We are learning to notice and embrace life just as it is.

This Buddha Hand tea has a life determined in part by its own form and strength, but also by external factors (the tea grower, maker, brewer, drinker, etc.).  The leaves unfurl as the hot water envelopes them.  They dance beautifully in their "agony of the leaf."   I notice them and savor them. That is my homework - to notice and savor my life.