Tea & Meditation

Many T Ching writers have shared their experiences and creativity with tea and meditation in hopes that you will discover something that resonates with your search for more meaning in your cup of tea.

Tea Aversion and Attraction

Tea Aversion and Attraction

by | Apr 13, 2016 | , ,

Experiences in tea can be vast and varied. Some good, some bad, some we’d like to enjoy again, and some we would rather forget. That said, judging whether or not we like a tea while we are drinking it can become a roadblock that bars us from true enjoyment of the...

The Mindfulness of Tea

The Mindfulness of Tea

by | Jan 7, 2016 | ,

In mindfulness practice, one of the keys to expanding the ability of mind is to pay attention to the thoughts, feelings and sensations experienced by the mind and body in the present moment. One way to do this is by being present during simple tasks and activities. As...

Medi-TEA-tion, Part 4

Medi-TEA-tion, Part 4

by | Sep 16, 2015 | ,

And what about music? We can use the same process here as with tea selection. Don’t just un-pause the iPod from its last outing. Tune in and see which music feels right now. What will go well with the tea you have just picked? What will balance your current mood? Or...

Medi-TEA-tion, Part 4

Medi-TEA-tion, Part 3

by | Sep 9, 2015 | ,

Now, back to our tea session: Hopefully, by now we have set aside some time to mindfully tidy up the tea space. We can then use our creativity to set up a Chaxi with some ornaments and chose the teaware to go with it (or vice versa). Over time, we can combine...

Medi-TEA-tion, Part 4

Medi-TEA-tion, Part 2

by | Sep 2, 2015 | ,

What are the Four Foundations of Mindfulness? And what is mindfulness? It never harms to go back to basics from time to time. Mindfulness, in my opinion, is the attempt to bring a fully inclusive awareness to what we are doing right now. From a certain point of view...

Medi-TEA-tion, Part 4

Medi-TEA-tion, Part 1

by | Aug 19, 2015 | ,

Over the next few installments, I would like to offer some tips for bringing more of the spirit of meditation into our tea drinking. This could be particularly relevant for those solitary tea sessions, which we might savor from time to time. But it is also useful when...

Medi-TEA-tion, Part 4

Fetching Water

by | Jul 22, 2015 | ,

Contribution by: Global Tea Hut The last drop glides off the silver-tipped spout and fills the side handle teapot. The iron kettle stands empty. Steam is rising, tea infusing, fire bound coals basking in the brazier. In the Daoist tearoom, sunset orange themes the...

Medi-TEA-tion, Part 4

Spirals: Part 4

by | Jul 8, 2015 | ,

One of the magical qualities of tea is that it works non-verbally. It seeps into the cracks and joints of our bodies and souls, filling them with light and warmth and love and wisdom, whether we know it or not. The more open we are, the more deeply it penetrates. In...

Medi-TEA-tion, Part 4

Spirals: Part 3

by | Jul 1, 2015 | ,

Some time ago, I traveled south in Taiwan to a new Vipassana center. Ten days later, I was given a ride to the nearest train station by a kind fellow meditator. As we drove along through the beautiful scenery, I learned that she was the owner of an English school, and...

Medi-TEA-tion, Part 4

Spirals: Part 2

by | Jun 24, 2015 | ,

Article by Lindsey Goodwin, Arthurian Mythologist. Shortly after I made Taiwan my new home last fall, I visited Mr. Xie, an organic farmer. He explained how his success with organic farming had encouraged others in his area of Nantou County to convert to organic...

Medi-TEA-tion, Part 4

Spirals: Part 1

by | Jun 17, 2015 | ,

Article by Lindsey Goodwin, Arthurian Mythologist When you are on a spiritual path, you probably find that your route is often a circular or spiral one. You begin at one point and, after months or years of moving and growing and learning and changing, you return to...