Community comes from Sipping Tea

Three weeks ago I quoted Buddhist monk Thich Naht Hanh in "Deep Listening".  This is a continuation of that conversation.  While deep listening teaches the art of really listening to other people, tea meditation tries to teach the art of just BEING with other people.

"There is a real encounter between me and the tea, and peace, happiness, and joy are possible during the time that I drink."  ~Thich Nhat Hanh

O's Best Advice Ever, Eds. of O, The Oprah Magazine, Oxmoor House, 2011, p. 36.

Huh?  Tea = Peace?

Let me try to break it down.

The Reality of Tea

In the practice of tea meditation, it is important to focus on the realness of the tea and the realness of the moment.  By letting go of the future and the past, we can experience a real encounter between ourselves and the tea.

Enjoying our Brotherhood and Sisterhood

Not only can we fully enjoy our real encounter with the tea, but we can also enjoy the real presence of those with us.  In Buddhism, the future and past are illusions, so by focusing on the present we allow ourselves to experience our connection to all other beings.

Every Moment is Happiness and Peace

In Buddhism, peace is an inner state of mind, and this inner tranquility is closely aligned to happiness.  By thoroughly enjoying the tea drinking and enjoying our connection to other people, we can develop a sense of peace and happiness.

BUT WHAT IF I'M NOT BUDDHIST?

Many cultures have a tea drinking ceremony ... of sorts.  Ever notice how when you invite a good friend over for dinner, or the two of you go out for a coffee, time just seems to disappear and you feel so good to be in your friend's company?  Meditation can be little more than choosing to do something intentionally and mindfully.

As we go through our busy, crazy lives, it is easy to get caught up in our worries about the future, our longings for the past, and how everyone and everything is out to destroy us.  In the process, we give up on beauty, happiness and peace.  What Thich Nhat Hanh challenges us to do is to take a moment in our day to open ourselves up to an experience of the senses and an experience of the soul. 

Some of you might think that's silly.  It's just tea after all?  Well, I know for myself that I rarely think of war, or hating my neighbour, when my fingers are wrapped around a great big mug of chamomile.

CHALLENGE: TEA MEDITATION

Invite a friend over for tea.  Schedule a whole hour for it.  Focus your whole time on how much you enjoy the tea and how much you enjoy being in the presence of your friend.

• Make the tea and pour it ahead of time.
• Don't focus on food, refills, cleaning up or the clock!
• Feel free to explain your inspiration to your friend.  Or not.  It's up to you.
• Only clean up after the hour is done.

ALTERNATE CHALLENGE:

Do you have a neighbour you've never talked to before?  Is there someone in your general acquaintance you wish you knew better?  Invite them out for a friendly tea or coffee.  If you are feeling nervous, bring a friend or family member and invite your guest to bring a friend or family member too.  Journal (or write me!) about your experience.