We are all searching for moments when time stops, opens up. When something deep inside, says hello. Fleeting moments, shy they seem, angels they are. Vanishing as soon as you recognize them.
I drink tea because I love to lose myself in the moment. Poets, artists have long been inspired by this seductive nature of tea.
Stephen suggested I write about this. The love stories of tea. It got me thinking, does making tea and being a good lover require the same ‘skill’ set? I’ve decided to explore this topic over the next few posts.
It takes practice to become good at something. Enjoying love and sex to the fullest extent requires us to be open, giving and compassionate. How do we practice staying open, especially as we age? How do we keep our hearts full of love? When we are single? When we have a partner?
I have no answer, exactly. Only that making tea daily has helped me to be open to life. It is a steady presence, within constant change. Over thousands of mornings, I have stood half asleep, at my stove heating water, looking at the leaves – washing out my teapot from the day before. Somewhere in that space, something deep inside says hello. Something that wouldn’t mean much to me if I only made tea occasionally. But over the years, has made a meaningful difference.
Approach making tea with the caress and care you would give someone you love.
Appreciate the water. Feel it on your hands. Think about the part of the earth it once rushed over before finding its way to you. Heat it. Hear the bubbles and sound start to form.
Look at the leaves, think of the rain and sun it needed to grow. Remember all the people it took to bring it to you, be thankful to them.
See the leaves becoming soft, changing color ever so slightly.
Listen to your intuition. Let it tell you when the tea is ready.
Taste with small sips, swirling it around on your tongue, let it remind, inspire, take you where it goes.
