one thing you can add is not only using tea bags, but reusing tea bags (and maybe even reusing tea leaves in general). I have been made to feel guilty for reusing a tea bag but tea leaves can be used for more than once and it tastes fine (at least to me).
Great! Yes, made to feel guilty is not the core of true tea practice. This made me think of the guilt some moms have to endure for feeding their infants formula, some are in fact based on necessity. Or… the use of paper bags / recycling bags at all cost when it’s the same status quo again with marketers selling fancier eco friendly bags.
next question: How can tea meditation offer mental space and calm to a broader range of individuals who are struggling, such as parents, single parents, caregivers from nurses to childcare teachers, families in low socioeconomic situations without a social safety net, youths facing depression, and the elderly facing loneliness?
My thoughts: when it's offered as a service free of charge, a "come in for a cuppa" to people who are struggling, a drop in centre, for all of the above people, and the "tea meditation" as part of it. Maybe first its a cuppa as they are used to, and english cuppa with 'milk and sugar' (if thats how they take it) and warm them up to the tea meditation. Anything that offers calmness and compassion for people who are struggling is welcome, i think.
"If tea meditation is grounded in mindfulness" - there's that word. That forms part of my answer to some of the questions. "Mindfulness" is a term that stemmed from Buddhist philosophy. Then the 'West' took the term, got rid of all the spiritual parts of it, and branded it as a lifestyle choice. Dont worry if youre working three jobs to support your family, if yourre stressed, you should just be a bit 'mindful'. Also, what happened to 'careful"? Personally I consider "careful" a 'better' word to use, as it signifies we are acting with care. from our heart. 'mindful' is a thought process. Caring is a warm heart.
Debbie, Thanks so much for taking the time to reflect and to respond. I read all of your comments with interest. I especially appreciate your response on the tension between what "mindfulness" has now become vs the reality to the hectic life with multiple responsibilities that we now have. This is an important conversation and I'd like for us to continue to ponder on ❤️
Okay last reply wandered a bit. okay next answer "Have artisanal teas and tea ceremonies - along with practices like meditation, yoga, and other wellness trends - evolved into status symbol". Kind of answered that in a round about way above. Yes and No. Like with all stuff that becomes 'fashionable' , its only a certain sector of people that do it. But tea is not something that is requires a lot of money. that's the 'no' part of the answer.
one thing you can add is not only using tea bags, but reusing tea bags (and maybe even reusing tea leaves in general). I have been made to feel guilty for reusing a tea bag but tea leaves can be used for more than once and it tastes fine (at least to me).
Great! Yes, made to feel guilty is not the core of true tea practice. This made me think of the guilt some moms have to endure for feeding their infants formula, some are in fact based on necessity. Or… the use of paper bags / recycling bags at all cost when it’s the same status quo again with marketers selling fancier eco friendly bags.
next question: How can tea meditation offer mental space and calm to a broader range of individuals who are struggling, such as parents, single parents, caregivers from nurses to childcare teachers, families in low socioeconomic situations without a social safety net, youths facing depression, and the elderly facing loneliness?
My thoughts: when it's offered as a service free of charge, a "come in for a cuppa" to people who are struggling, a drop in centre, for all of the above people, and the "tea meditation" as part of it. Maybe first its a cuppa as they are used to, and english cuppa with 'milk and sugar' (if thats how they take it) and warm them up to the tea meditation. Anything that offers calmness and compassion for people who are struggling is welcome, i think.
last question: How can the beauty of tea be reframed to include everyone else, regardless of their financial standing or material possessions?
Again, probably covered that a bit in above.
But your substack here is contributing to the beauty of tea. :)
Your husband sounds supportive and with a good sense of humour. Give him a hug? ☺️
Haha yes!
What a lovely, meditative post. Very good questions. Let me ponder.
"If tea meditation is grounded in mindfulness" - there's that word. That forms part of my answer to some of the questions. "Mindfulness" is a term that stemmed from Buddhist philosophy. Then the 'West' took the term, got rid of all the spiritual parts of it, and branded it as a lifestyle choice. Dont worry if youre working three jobs to support your family, if yourre stressed, you should just be a bit 'mindful'. Also, what happened to 'careful"? Personally I consider "careful" a 'better' word to use, as it signifies we are acting with care. from our heart. 'mindful' is a thought process. Caring is a warm heart.
Debbie, Thanks so much for taking the time to reflect and to respond. I read all of your comments with interest. I especially appreciate your response on the tension between what "mindfulness" has now become vs the reality to the hectic life with multiple responsibilities that we now have. This is an important conversation and I'd like for us to continue to ponder on ❤️
Okay last reply wandered a bit. okay next answer "Have artisanal teas and tea ceremonies - along with practices like meditation, yoga, and other wellness trends - evolved into status symbol". Kind of answered that in a round about way above. Yes and No. Like with all stuff that becomes 'fashionable' , its only a certain sector of people that do it. But tea is not something that is requires a lot of money. that's the 'no' part of the answer.