Guest Post #2

I well remember the day tea went from a pleasant drink to a practice that would give me great joy and connection. I was hiking down Hua Shan in Central China after spending 5 days in a cave in meditation when I noticed a niche in the rock near the trail. In the niche was a small charcoal brazier with a pot of water on top and a tiny clay teapot beside it. No one was nearby and though I called out a greeting there seemed to be no one within hearing. I knew there were hermits who lived on the mountain. Taosit Monks and Nuns who seldom interacted with outsiders. I took it as a sign that tea could be a way for me to take home the peace my practice the previous five days had shown me was possible.

Back in Xi'an I looked for teas that might help me with my goal and became fascinated with the tea cakes I found in a local shop. The merchant named the tea puer and sold several types as well as the pots and cups used to prepare the tea. My small pack had every tiny hole filled on my return trip by cakes and teaware.

Thirteen years later I can say my instincts did not mislead me. Tea has been not only an aid to my meditation practice but a connection to others who share my love of Eastern Medicine, Meditation and Qigong. I will always be grateful to the unseen person who chose to take tea on top of a mountain and invited me to join the company of the many generations of humans who have loved and valued tea as more than a simple beverage.

By Celeste from Utah

Yixing clay pot with tasting cup