Tea Philosophy

WHERE DOES TEA COME FROM?

It is believed that tea originated from China. Tea-shrubs existed as early as five to six thousand years ago. For thousands of years tea drinkers have been enjoying tea for its refreshing flavour and potential medicinal properties.

Tea is known as one of China's great treasures or the ‘divine beverage'. The Taoist philosophers and Buddhist monks, who did much to promote tea and improve its cultivation in China, imbued tea drinking with meaning greater than applied to any other beverage. Tea drinking does, in fact, reflect much that is characteristically Chinese, from the taste itself to the way it is served.

TEA PHILOSOPHY

Each of China's regions have their own tea philosophy - we can detect a hint of a gentle and delicate scent in every single movement of Chinese life. People drink tea to extinguish thirst, to become sober, to support the digestion after a heavy meal or to rise the energy level. Tea is drunk to socialize, to ‘wash' the body from inside, to stay healthy and young, to relax and to meditate. The tradition of tea is usually associated with intense moments and passion, as well as relaxation and quietude.

Tea is instant wisdom - just add water! ~Astrid Alauda

WHY TO DRINK TEA?

In today's hurried lifestyle, it has become even more important to find time to slow down, to stay in touch with ourselves. Tea effects in a great spiritual enjoyment. Its essential delight lies in the appreciation of its colour, aroma and taste. Tea drinkers are able to connect to nature and achieve a certain state of inner peace and harmony. They learn to live each moment in the present mode. When drinking tea, tea is all that matters. Worrying about the past or the future becomes pointless. Then, calmed down by the tea, they acquire a different perspective, perhaps they are even a little wiser as they face their daily worries and responsibilities.

With a cup of tea in hand, enjoying the green leaves in a white porcelain cup, all you should feel is peace.

Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves
- slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future.
~Thich Nat Hahn

CHINESE TEA CEREMONY - MEDITATION OVER A CUP OF TEA

To master the skill of performing Chinese Tea Ceremony, one needs to use all his senses. With time, we learn to concentrate and our movements become automatic, like rituals. We become able to brew our tea without really thinking. The only thing we are concentrated on is the tea itself - with no worries about the future and with no memories of the past.

Most of the meditation techniques use the very same principle. One needs to be calm, concentrated anchored in the present moment. This is the very reason why tea brewing can bring us inner peace - it is a kind of meditation. While brewing tea in a beautiful setting and contemplating on its marvellous flavour and aroma, we can experience a meeting with our genuine Self. We become a true human. We are fulfilled with the simple happiness of a cup of tea.