Genmai-cha:)
Back in Japan ? Rather, it’s Berkeley … a glimpse of lovely tea tasting room. Beautifully designed to work in the Western setting. While I prefer tatami flooring and rustic woodsy zen space more – the traditional Japanese tea room/house – this design is another take.
Walking into Teance (“tea” + “ambiance”:)Tea after Pescatarian lunch at Iyasare (means “healing”)… It’s sad that the founder of this lovely tea house passed away at the age of only 47 last year … I am moved by this chant offered in her honor:
May I be a guard for those who need protection
A guide for those on the path
A boat, a raft, a bridge for those who wish to cross the flood
May I be a lamp in the darkness
A resting place for the weary
A healing medicine for all who are sick
A vase of plenty, a tree of miracles
And for the boundless multitudes of living beings
May I bring sustenance and awakening
Enduring like the earth and sky
Until all beings are freed from sorrow
And all are awakened.
~ Shantideva ~
Prayed each morning by His Holiness the Dalai Lama
Not all good die young but this one did. It’s thanks to passionate and dedicated people like her, tea, or more specifically Asian tea has become so mainstream these days – check this out – so educational. Just found this talk she gave – all the more – what a loss … amazing tea educator. (& Business/Entrepreneurship 101 as well).
She risked her life and limb … climbing mountains … “still amazed I’m still alive” – what a quote… (& wonder how the current trade tariffs affects the importers …)A powerhouse.
Sometimes when you are so passionate, so giving, so serving, and so “BUSY” striving to propel yourself, overcoming obstacles after obstacles with powerful surge, you are heated and fired up – literally burning up yang-style. In the process of “burning up” some may burn-out or some may break or some may ignite the beautiful flames of fire. In this state, you may not notice or take heed to the signs that your body sends you – or go into a denial mode as overcoming limits has always been your style – but the conscious mind; the sub-conscious mind … we need to awaken to. We have to pay attention (called wakefulness or mindfulness vs. auto-pilot unconscious mindless doing) to the cosmos, the universe within … at the cellular level with mindful breathing and stretching. While diet is important, copious amount of green tea, stocking up with super foods with powerful antitoxins still cannot be the only – while predominant – factor in our sense of wellness and optimal health.
Let’s send out that invitation to Self for abundance of time and space to really … truly listen to the inner signs and voices. Practicing and sharpening our inner listening skills … as we transition to this beautiful Autumn season. Seasons are fleeting so let’s find what moves you … then, settle into tranquil stillness. On the mat and off the mat.
