Making decisions, doing the research.
This exploration is an attempt for mental stability through the grounding process of a routine, a ritual that provides solace.
Over the past months, there was a lot of time for self-reflection and through the magnitude of ‘’altered plans’’, I realized that I don’t have a routine, a thing in my life that is reoccurring, not even an eating schedule. It’s always random.
So, the realization came that I should try to provide some time for myself for meditation. To find an activity that will provide me with a moment during each day, that I can allow my self to enjoy this one task without interruptions by people or circumstances.
I was aware of the philosophy around a tea making ritual and how it is a moment of meditation and focus without allowing for interruptions. A way to spend time and effort on yourself in quiet retrospect.
When talking about “Chado”, the Japanese “way of tea”, in Psychological Aspects of the Way of Tea by Sheila Fling, she notes
“Insight into why one might be motivated to choose this discipline over others comes from five related statements of its purpose given by the present Grand Master of the Urasenke lineage of tea.
First is to "realize tranquility in relation with others within the environment" (Sen Soshitsu, 1979). In regard to tranquility, it is like a moving meditation,
having been compared to T’ai Chi Ch’uan (Cohen, 1976), and thus more appealing to some than sitting still meditation. Secondly, it is usually practiced in relatedness with others rather than in solitude, and, thirdly, in an environmental context of both nature (divine creation) and art (human creation), rather than withdrawing the senses as in some forms of meditation.
Fourth, this Grand Master, who has spread chado internationally, also speaks of its purpose in terms of bringing peace to the world through a bowl of tea prepared and received with all the heart, which certainly is another appeal to many.
Fifth, he has also said its goal is "to build one’s personality and character" (Sen Soshitsu XV, 1970, p. 6), and the most revered tea master of past history Sen Rikyu is quoted as saying, "The most important purpose of tea...is...to arrive at spiritual enlightenment" (Tanigawa, 1976, p. 37)”.
Upon mentioning my research to people that I’ve come across, many seem to already have their own special relationship with tea and dedicate time for their process daily.
This inspired me to look into this a bit deeper and discover tea, in my own way, exploring the stories and blends from all around the world and through art.
It seems like this will be,
A journal of the ways of tea.