Drinking Tea And The Art Of Doing Nothing

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Tea Talk 11AThe Italians have a beautiful concept signifying the pleasantness of inactivity – ‘La Dolce Far Niente’, which roughly translates to ‘the sweetness of doing nothing’.

Well, the concept seems easy as taking a break doing relaxing activities gives us lot of options to chose from. But the challenge here is to cultivate ‘mental silence’, which isn’t just about getting respite from the distractions of office chatter or deadlines. It’s about the real sustained silence that quietens inner as well as outer chatter and takes us beyond the noise. A state that can be easily attained through the ‘Art of Tea Meditation’.

A recent Harvard Business Review states that the busier we are, the more quiet time we need. It emphasises on the need of structured periods of silence as important factors in achieving success. In our modern lives when our day begins running on a treadmill of duties and ends with exhaustion, taking a silent break is a luxury. Tea is the modern day meditation and a simple solution to effortlessly embrace the art of doing nothing and experiencing mental silence.

Tea masters and monks have been practising the ‘art of tea way’ for more than 3,000 years – an art that consists simply of boiling water, preparing tea and drinking it. Embracing the traditional goodness of tea in modern times by upgrading our tea-time can help to reprogram our thoughts, manage the non-stop information flow and cultivate periods of deep silence. It can condition our minds to be more adaptive and responsive to the complex environments in which so many of us now live, work, and lead.

Our lives can be a lot different if we take a deliberate pause by just giving 30 minutes of our day to the process of making our cup of tea. This pause declutters our mind, bringing about a sense of calmness and tranquillity.  You can chose this time to unwind, plan your day, read a book, think about what you love, admire the view from your window or think about nothing at all. You make your tea, absorb yourself in the process, sit and sip with no particular agenda, letting yourself go wherever your mind takes you. You could also use this time to think about what kind of life would be worth living, rather than simply living the life you live.

With each passing day, we feel more tired, hoping for a reboot in the form of a break, a pause from the daily hustle. And this idea usually translates into a quarterly vacation – travelling to a far off land to get away from the madness for a while. But we don’t need to postpone that idea any further because the elusive ‘relaxation’ that we yearn for is not just found in the scenic landscapes of our ideal vacation spots. It exists within each one of us and is ours to claim if we learn to embrace it with a tea lifestyle. So instead of fantasising about that one big vacation, brew your tea, find that perfect spot in the house, and reboot your life with a simple tea meditation.

The world is getting louder. But silence is still accessible. It just takes commitment and creativity to cultivate it.  Make your cup of tea mindfully, take a deep breath, relax and let your brain move away from the abstract and the distant towards the tangible and the near.

5 Steps to a Simple Tea Meditation

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“Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves – slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future. Live the actual moment. Only this moment is life.”– Thich Nhat Hanh

The modern lifestyle has discreetly trained us to stay distracted, immersed in our smartphones and constantly check for updates, that we often fail to realise how impatient, preoccupied and restless we all have become.

The simple ritual of making and drinking tea has been celebrated as a source of energy, light and alignment since ancient times. But due to lack of awareness and appreciation, we tend to overlook the power of the humble leaf. Tea meditation is a simple practice that will help you pause, reconnect, reboot and embrace life. And here are lovefortea’s 5 simple steps that will guide you to achieve that:

1. Boil water – Start with boiling water for your tea. Simply watch the water boil. Empty your mind and be present in the moment. Embrace the process. Be patient. Watch the bubbles go from tiny, large to rolling. Inhale the steam. Let it remind you to breathe deep – inhale and exhale. Let the process clear your lungs and mind.

2. Select tea leaves –Choose the kind of tea depending on your mood and taste buds preference every day. Feel the texture of the leaves, watch the size, color and shape. Bite them if you want. Smell and absorb the aroma. And add them to your glass teapot. We prefer glass teaware for the visual splendor they offer.

3. Steep and Infuse – Pour hot water into your glass teapot. Admire the dry leaves unfurl, expand, dance, float, sink and come to life. Appreciate the cloud of color from nature spreading out in your teapot, turning the water into tea. Notice the steam wafting up and smell the aroma. Let the leaves steep for 2 to 5 minutes depending on the kind of tea you are making. Relax and breathe easy.

4. Pour – Your tea is ready. Next step is to pour your tea into your cup. Now, don’t just use any cup. Pick the one you love, the one you like to touch and sip from. The one that’s special and calls to you. Decant the tea slowly while witnessing the magical drink pouring from the teapot into your cup. Notice the calming sound of infusion hitting the walls of your cup and the steam rising. Cherish the moment.

5. Drink your tea – Just sit with your tea for 2 minutes now and let it cool slightly. Look at the rich color of your tea. Hold the cup in between your hands and bring it close to your face. Inhale deeply. Feel the warm invigorating aroma awakening your senses and take you into a beautiful journey. To your favorite place. Exhale and while you do so, empty your mind of any thoughts. Sip slowly. Swirl the tea around your mouth and feel the taste of it. Notice the flavors. Repeat slowly. Focus on the tea, enjoy the moment and connect with yourself. Find inner peace. Life is beautiful.

Your morning and evening cup of tea can easily transcend into your modern day meditation. It’s easy. So, pick your favorite spot in the house, light some incense and put some relaxing music on. Maybe light up a candle. Practice mindfully and experience how 20 minutes of your day will transport you to another realm and way of life, with the oneness of man, nature and spirit – the very purpose of tea.

Find Your Daily Zen With A Simple Tea Meditation

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tea-talk-3-1Today’s world is an ever-demanding place where we are constantly expected to be on-the-go, with little time for ourselves. Are we relaxed in our daily lives, with our minds calm and clear? The very fact that modern lifestyles drive us crazy with their deadlines, tight schedules and endless expectations draw several people to find that one quiet moment in the day.

Tea meditation helps you do just that. Meditation may be hailed as the ultimate path to mental peace and calm, but most of us find the first step towards achieving that great ideal a task in itself. The biggest challenge we face while trying to meditate is keeping our thoughts from running amok while we stay put physically.

On my quest to tackle the issue effectively, I figured out just the right way to ease myself into the exercise – tea meditation. The very process of preparing, brewing, followed by drinking tea in a calm setting is the most potent form of meditation, to me. Just the act of taking the time out to brew the perfect cup of tea helps me cancel out both external and internal noise and practise mindfulness, tuning into the present moment and focusing on what is important, here and now. Tea helps me slow down, pause, breathe and get in sync with the natural, uninterrupted rhythm of life.

The subtle aromas of different leaves, the simplicity and purity of natural flavours help us connect with nature. The entire process – starting from boiling water to brewing tea leaves, ending with sipping the flavorful infusion – gives us a much needed hiatus, a break in the endless action that our lives are. Compared with the tiny amount of time we get while waiting for the train or making a dash for a quick morning coffee, this is a time we can be certain of diving into and enjoying.

Tea is a delightful romance between water and tea leaves; tea leaves distend in water, releasing wafting aromas, colors and flavours nurtured by nature, giving you the very essence of nature in a cup of tea. The act of drinking tea is soothing, simple and a mind-awakening experience that is nothing short of a thrilling sensory experience. The entire process of experiencing and observing tea release its natural charm is meditative. Naturally, the use of proper and beautiful teaware assumes importance, contributing to and enhancing the overall tea experience.

Tea meditation is a great path to introspection and inner reflection. It helps us realise the intrinsic beauty of life and the grand amalgamation of experiences it offers us each moment. Along comes the realization that the present is the most important moment, worthy of all our attention and one of the best ways to heighten our awareness is the simple act of drinking tea with mindfulness.

You can practise your tea meditation during any given time of the day, be it the morning, afternoon or evening, depending on the freedom your work schedule allows you. A simple tea ritual, when practised daily, ensures peace of mind, a harmonious attitude towards life, self-realization and ultimately the freedom to experience life on your own terms.

The greater your appreciation and sensitivity towards the wonders of tea, the shorter will be your path towards a calmer, happier and zen you.