| Paul T. writes: "To my knowledge, no one ever | | | | Given my affiliation with Samovar, I got to |
| founded a spiritual practice based on the preparation | | | | thinking… thinking... and thinking a bit more (a |
| of a Starbucks Americano. | | | | phenomena I now understand consists of body |
| Sure, some folks may have what constitutes as a | | | | sensations, self-talk, and visual images emanating |
| religious commitment to that morning cup, but those | | | | from my mind). Why, I wondered, is it that one |
| snaky lines, noisy steam and the jolting nature of | | | | doesn't cross paths with more black-robed, Buddhist |
| caffeine in coffee can make mindfulness a pretty tall | | | | devotees sipping Soy lattes? Why the stronger link |
| order. Good ol' coffee and conversation considered, | | | | between enlightenment and coffee's cuz, this slightly |
| we've come to associate the dark pick-me-up more | | | | bitter beverage served hot? Scratching around a bit, |
| with passion and productivity then we do with | | | | I discovered that fair trade tea, like coffee, had been |
| self-contemplation. | | | | bound up through the ages with popular cultural |
| Organic tea, on the other hand, brimming with grace | | | | values. The tea social experience, however, was |
| and femininity, was ennobled centuries ago into a | | | | more closely tied to ritual, often occupying the center |
| religion of aestheticism - Teasim, if you will. According | | | | of certain ceremonial practices. Established rites like |
| to Kakuro Okakura's Book of Tea, "Teaism is a cult | | | | the Japanese Tea Ceremony I experienced, strongly |
| founded on the adoration of the beautiful among the | | | | influenced by Zen Buddhism, sought to divide the |
| sordid facts of everyday existence. It inculcates | | | | world between the sacred and the profane (or |
| purity and harmony…worship of the | | | | everyday) in the effort to establish community or |
| imperfect…and is a tender attempt to | | | | create a social experience. |
| accomplish something possible in the impossible thing | | | | Those fortunate enough to have taken a seat at |
| we know as life." Today, tea is hot, and its popularity | | | | one of Jesse's Tea Tastings have sensed a similar |
| symbolizes the shift in America's values toward living | | | | energy of reverence and nobility. To the |
| a less stressed, more tranquil lifestyle. | | | | unenlightened eye, it may appear to be a creative |
| The inspiration behind all these thoughts of coffee, | | | | marketing medium that helps move product. But look |
| tea and duality was my pursuit of the tranquil new | | | | a little closer… and you just might catch a |
| American dream at a Buddhist meditation retreat | | | | glimpse of Samovar's skillful tea shaman upholding a |
| over New Years. Steering the silent ride to the land | | | | living legacy of relaxation, pleasure, dignity, and |
| inside of our minds was Shinzen Young, a western | | | | delight. |
| teacher of eastern Vipassana or Insight meditation. | | | | Which brings it around full circle for me. Shinzen |
| There, a student of Shinzen's who was also an avid | | | | explained that we'd all soon be faced with |
| tea practitioner provided an opportunity for us to | | | | "aftershock" and "afterglow," his terms for the |
| take part in the Cha-no-yu ritual (literally "hot water | | | | positive and negative feeling states experienced |
| for tea"). | | | | during turbulent, post-retreat reentry into a clattering |
| Transforming the lobby of the aged, Catholic retreat | | | | modern world. He encouraged us to work at |
| center into a tasteful teahouse, she demonstrated | | | | meditating daily, while seeking out places and people |
| her agility with powdered green tea, known as | | | | that supported our practice. Okakura's charge to |
| Matcha, meticulously preparing servings to a small | | | | "know the stillness that makes the impossible |
| group of us in the tranquil setting. We were taught | | | | possible," echoed in his words. I can't help but |
| that the study and mastery of the tea ceremony | | | | thinking… thinking… thinking… |
| takes many years, often lasting one's lifetime. Just | | | | how Jesse's efforts have made Samovar one of |
| participating as a guest in the semi-formal Cha-no-yu | | | | hose magical places that assists patrons and pilgrims |
| required me to study and learn general tearoom | | | | in finding the harmony, the serenity and the sacred |
| deportment, prescribed gestures and phrases and the | | | | underlying our everyday world. |
| proper way one takes teas and sweets. | | | | |