Profound! I like your perspective of starting with the spiritual followed by the physical. Quite unlike the current trend of beauty/ fitness first then the mind etc since that’s what the society craves for. May be of interest - give a listen to Simon Chen, Founder of Pique Life (tea health biz) https://youtu.be/SWMfNbTFSZ0?si=CCWHMmlrcIfJ8Vnl
I really love how the way of tea is such an art form, refined and perfected over centuries. And your knowledge of its history and traditions is so impressive. I love how you show that the process of making and serving tea is full of symbolism and mindfulness, with every step being intentional and precise.
This is exactly the kind of lessons I wish had been available when I was studying Sinology!!
Reading your articles is such a pleasure! Each word flows with a grace and depth, like tea leaves unfolding in warm water :) Thank you! :)
Zhenya, Thanks so very much! This means a lot to me. ❤️🍃I keep all my 41 articles for free with an optional paid subscription (so far only two), not planning to sell anything, so having to interact with readers is a blessing to me!!
I do have several deeper tea related writings I would love to share more widely. Sadly just waiting for publishers to take them on and release them. Some, I am still looking for a suitable home / platforms.
Will keep writing for the fun of it in the meantime. So… let me know if there are any tea related themes you are interested in.
I always enjoy connecting with fellow writers—it's fascinating to exchange perspectives and ideas :)
I’m incredibly grateful for your generosity in sharing this knowledge at no cost. Thank you so much for your kindness!
I'd love to learn more about the differences between Chinese and Japanese tea. For example: the contrasts in tea culture, their historical significance, unique characteristics, and what each is renowned for would be really interesting.
Thanks for your suggestions, Zhenya. Going deep into the tea comparison between Chinese-Taiwanese and Japanese tea will take awhile as there're lots of grounds to cover. I've taken multiple tea courses both in person and online, now certified at the intermediate level, yet there are still lots more to know. Will take a stab at writing it down at some point. :)
But briefly, there's a huge difference between the surface level of tea (tea characteristics, brewing ways etc.) vs the deeper spiritual aspect which is my interest. All teas first originated from China, including the popular Japanese matcha. Even 'English breakfast teas' made in India/ Sri Lanka with its colonial origin leads back to China.
Japanese tea ceremony or chado (solely using matcha) at its core is not about tea but everything else surrounding it to evoke certain feelings and emotions. It can be more formal than other forms of tea expressions. I find Chinese-Taiwanese tea even more fascinating as it's everything - the spiritual lens, deep historical and cultural roots, and sensitivity via the 6 main categories of teas -- white, yellow, green which includes matcha and other green teas, oolong, black (but correctly termed as red tea 红茶 in Chinese and Japanese), dark teas (Pu'er and fermented teas).
Since Chinese-Taiwanese teas (from loose leaves, powder form, to fermented tea cakes) are especially sensitive, I find it a good gateway to cultivate the senses and spirituality. Your state of mind, where tea leaves are from, weather conditions when it was picked, tea processing, techniques of the person brewing it, what types of tea vessels, to steeping time, etc. everything matters.
In essence, the best way to start is by trying out different tea leaves, powder, or cake (not just tea bags) and then see where that leads you to. To me the best people to learn from are not influencers but those on a quest, a personal journey, the ones who have/ are overcoming challenging odds in life - they go really deep and make the best teas!
心静茶味香
Is a phrase I like. I read it as ‘When the heart/mind is quiet/still, the tea will taste’
心静 is pointing at the spiritual body
茶味香 is pointing at the physical body
Profound! I like your perspective of starting with the spiritual followed by the physical. Quite unlike the current trend of beauty/ fitness first then the mind etc since that’s what the society craves for. May be of interest - give a listen to Simon Chen, Founder of Pique Life (tea health biz) https://youtu.be/SWMfNbTFSZ0?si=CCWHMmlrcIfJ8Vnl
A lovely history of tea culture.
Thanks, Debbie. Let me know if you have any tea questions in the future or have any specific themes you might be interested in reading.
thank you! I am still thinking about writing more about Hangzhou as per your request! I've read a lot about the history of tea. it's fascinating!
Wonderful! Looking forward to reading you more. And I would really love to visit China for tea someday.
A relaxing read, like a good cup of tea.
Thanks, Paul. Did you manage to try some good teas during your trip this time?
Some very good Longjing tea snacks. 😉🙏 thank you.
That sounds wonderful! I've not tried that before.
10/10🙂
I really love how the way of tea is such an art form, refined and perfected over centuries. And your knowledge of its history and traditions is so impressive. I love how you show that the process of making and serving tea is full of symbolism and mindfulness, with every step being intentional and precise.
This is exactly the kind of lessons I wish had been available when I was studying Sinology!!
Reading your articles is such a pleasure! Each word flows with a grace and depth, like tea leaves unfolding in warm water :) Thank you! :)
Zhenya, Thanks so very much! This means a lot to me. ❤️🍃I keep all my 41 articles for free with an optional paid subscription (so far only two), not planning to sell anything, so having to interact with readers is a blessing to me!!
I do have several deeper tea related writings I would love to share more widely. Sadly just waiting for publishers to take them on and release them. Some, I am still looking for a suitable home / platforms.
Will keep writing for the fun of it in the meantime. So… let me know if there are any tea related themes you are interested in.
https://peckgee.substack.com/
I always enjoy connecting with fellow writers—it's fascinating to exchange perspectives and ideas :)
I’m incredibly grateful for your generosity in sharing this knowledge at no cost. Thank you so much for your kindness!
I'd love to learn more about the differences between Chinese and Japanese tea. For example: the contrasts in tea culture, their historical significance, unique characteristics, and what each is renowned for would be really interesting.
If of interest, this is one of the articles I have written focusing on Japanese tea ceremony and meditation: https://peckgee.substack.com/p/meditation-and-the-willow
Thanks for your suggestions, Zhenya. Going deep into the tea comparison between Chinese-Taiwanese and Japanese tea will take awhile as there're lots of grounds to cover. I've taken multiple tea courses both in person and online, now certified at the intermediate level, yet there are still lots more to know. Will take a stab at writing it down at some point. :)
But briefly, there's a huge difference between the surface level of tea (tea characteristics, brewing ways etc.) vs the deeper spiritual aspect which is my interest. All teas first originated from China, including the popular Japanese matcha. Even 'English breakfast teas' made in India/ Sri Lanka with its colonial origin leads back to China.
Japanese tea ceremony or chado (solely using matcha) at its core is not about tea but everything else surrounding it to evoke certain feelings and emotions. It can be more formal than other forms of tea expressions. I find Chinese-Taiwanese tea even more fascinating as it's everything - the spiritual lens, deep historical and cultural roots, and sensitivity via the 6 main categories of teas -- white, yellow, green which includes matcha and other green teas, oolong, black (but correctly termed as red tea 红茶 in Chinese and Japanese), dark teas (Pu'er and fermented teas).
Since Chinese-Taiwanese teas (from loose leaves, powder form, to fermented tea cakes) are especially sensitive, I find it a good gateway to cultivate the senses and spirituality. Your state of mind, where tea leaves are from, weather conditions when it was picked, tea processing, techniques of the person brewing it, what types of tea vessels, to steeping time, etc. everything matters.
In essence, the best way to start is by trying out different tea leaves, powder, or cake (not just tea bags) and then see where that leads you to. To me the best people to learn from are not influencers but those on a quest, a personal journey, the ones who have/ are overcoming challenging odds in life - they go really deep and make the best teas!
Thank you for taking the time to write such an insightful answer! Also, thank you for your article about the Japanese tea ceremony and meditation!
As I read your answer, I realize that I’m also interested in the deeper spiritual aspects :) Soooo... I’m waiting for your book! 😁
Haha thanks!! 😍 And I really appreciate your recommendation.