I went to Beijing, China and purposely asked to attend the tea ceremony. It was a nice tea house next to the hotel I stayed in. The Mistress of Tea starts with enquiring what kind of tea I would like to have, my preference will be green tea and black tea, but I am open with another recommendation.
I remember vividly the ceremony was just beautiful, aesthetic on the way she brewed the hot water, pour it at certain high, soak the tea and served it. She was trying to explain the tea in her broken English/Chinese, that moment was perfect. I do not quite understand the whole thing, but I did enjoy every moment and every sip of tea.
As I walked in the street of Beijing and just enjoying the walks, it is sitting on me the thought of harmony, things are beautiful when there is harmony in it, and it is applicable in every subject. To have harmony you have to have a hierarchy, understand your hierarchy in the setting you are in. 4 important values in life; filial, honor, loyal, respect. kids filial to their parents, the younger respect and honor the older, subject loyal to their master. so if I have to put it in order :
- Understand your hierarchy, are you the daughter-son/the parents, are your the younger/the elder, are you the subject/the master.
- Understand values in life
- Harmony exists.
The tea ceremony consists of 4 important things; the teapot, teacup, tea itself and the master of ceremony. To have the ceremony you have to have all component play its part. Just like in life “set”, who and what are you? Are you a teacup? Are you a teapot? Are you the tea? We can’t just all want to be teapots or teacups or teas and expect to have a beautiful harmony tea ceremony. Each component has its own purpose and function. Breathe….,,and let it sink in your heart and mind.
I smile at my own thought… I am grateful for the tea, thank you for the lesson.
Cheers,
Bombon
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