Beautifully written and an important message!! Tea rituals, meditations, and all mindful movements bring us to a restorative process toward unity of the mind, body, and soul, toward oneness with the flowing of Tao.
Thanks, Yuxuan. I love your take on oneness and let's not forget calligraphy as art and meditation - would be grateful to learn from your insights practicing it!
That's true. Calligraphy is also a spiritual and art practice. When I was young, I resisted it. Later, when life was filled with schoolwork and professional commitments, I was kind of relieved I could get detached from it. I did not realize that it has taken a solid place in my heart, and has become a part of life.
Thank you, Leanne! Whatever unpleasant that came to me has been a blessing in disguise. Last year led me to wanting to deepen my grasp on Japanese and East Asian cultures. I found your posts interesting in my learning journey ❤️
I appreciate you explaining aspects of the Chinese calendar as I am unfamiliar. However, I know a little of Traditional Chinese medicine as I work with an herbalist that talks a lot about yin and yang energies and the associated properties of various herbs. I’ve just begun reading Alan Watts. I like the quote — the character of the pine versus that of the willow. The willow may bend, but it doesn’t mean it breaks. I don’t know if that suggests anything about resilience.
I’m sorry you’ve been suffering health issues. I’m sure that’s rough with young children. I relate what you said about how the journey teaches us to rise to the occasion. Perfect moments don’t exist. The past does not exist. I’m challenging myself to live in the now after years of chasing perfection not only in myself, but in others. I feel a some shame and guilt as I think, in retrospect, I held unrealistic expectations of others. I’m used to meeting life’s challenges by doing as it felt ‘natural’ when in reality lot of my reactions were fear based. Remaining still while remaining open can bring up immense fear and vulnerability. This is what I’m working with today.
I love history. I wasn’t aware that samurai participated in tea ceremony prior to battle. I can only imagine what an adoption of a practice like that might shift the energy of U.S. troops going into battle. It’s unthinkable because in our culture, we have lost our sense of ritual and understanding about how to relate to death. I don’t believe soldiers are psychologically prepared for death. balanced the destructive energy of war with the creative spirit of art by developing tea appreciation into a highly refined ritual.
I’m also interested in the ritual effect. It’s something I’ve been working with as I experience anxiety. I know I feel a greater sense of balance and groundedness when I invite ritual which anchors me. Another book to check out. Thank you. Happy new year.
Anna, Thanks for your good note and for sharing your thoughts! Interesting - I got to learn about yin yang and the five elements through tea. Curious to learn from your insights too.
Broadly I find there are 2 ways to learning eastern philosophy and culture - by chance, I was lucky to get started by being exposed to a living tradition like tea before wanting to dive deeper and study more.
Indeed, never a perfect moment. Things may make sense in hindsight but we only have imperfect information/ resources at any particular of time, might as well make the most and enjoy the moment.
It seems we have similar interests and curiosity. Let’s continue to exchange and feel free to reach out via comments or private messaging at anytime.
Beautifully written and an important message!! Tea rituals, meditations, and all mindful movements bring us to a restorative process toward unity of the mind, body, and soul, toward oneness with the flowing of Tao.
Thanks, Yuxuan. I love your take on oneness and let's not forget calligraphy as art and meditation - would be grateful to learn from your insights practicing it!
That's true. Calligraphy is also a spiritual and art practice. When I was young, I resisted it. Later, when life was filled with schoolwork and professional commitments, I was kind of relieved I could get detached from it. I did not realize that it has taken a solid place in my heart, and has become a part of life.
Thank you for this beautiful post ❤️
Thank you, Leanne! Whatever unpleasant that came to me has been a blessing in disguise. Last year led me to wanting to deepen my grasp on Japanese and East Asian cultures. I found your posts interesting in my learning journey ❤️
I appreciate you explaining aspects of the Chinese calendar as I am unfamiliar. However, I know a little of Traditional Chinese medicine as I work with an herbalist that talks a lot about yin and yang energies and the associated properties of various herbs. I’ve just begun reading Alan Watts. I like the quote — the character of the pine versus that of the willow. The willow may bend, but it doesn’t mean it breaks. I don’t know if that suggests anything about resilience.
I’m sorry you’ve been suffering health issues. I’m sure that’s rough with young children. I relate what you said about how the journey teaches us to rise to the occasion. Perfect moments don’t exist. The past does not exist. I’m challenging myself to live in the now after years of chasing perfection not only in myself, but in others. I feel a some shame and guilt as I think, in retrospect, I held unrealistic expectations of others. I’m used to meeting life’s challenges by doing as it felt ‘natural’ when in reality lot of my reactions were fear based. Remaining still while remaining open can bring up immense fear and vulnerability. This is what I’m working with today.
I love history. I wasn’t aware that samurai participated in tea ceremony prior to battle. I can only imagine what an adoption of a practice like that might shift the energy of U.S. troops going into battle. It’s unthinkable because in our culture, we have lost our sense of ritual and understanding about how to relate to death. I don’t believe soldiers are psychologically prepared for death. balanced the destructive energy of war with the creative spirit of art by developing tea appreciation into a highly refined ritual.
I’m also interested in the ritual effect. It’s something I’ve been working with as I experience anxiety. I know I feel a greater sense of balance and groundedness when I invite ritual which anchors me. Another book to check out. Thank you. Happy new year.
Anna, Thanks for your good note and for sharing your thoughts! Interesting - I got to learn about yin yang and the five elements through tea. Curious to learn from your insights too.
Broadly I find there are 2 ways to learning eastern philosophy and culture - by chance, I was lucky to get started by being exposed to a living tradition like tea before wanting to dive deeper and study more.
Indeed, never a perfect moment. Things may make sense in hindsight but we only have imperfect information/ resources at any particular of time, might as well make the most and enjoy the moment.
It seems we have similar interests and curiosity. Let’s continue to exchange and feel free to reach out via comments or private messaging at anytime.
All good vibes to you this 2025! ⭐️