“A cup of tea is a cup of peace.”
– Soshitsu Sen XV
In celebration of the Chinese New Year, my friend Ruth showcased her tea ceremonial skills at a local festival. Serving Yixing Red Tea from a tea plantation in her father’s childhood village in the Yangtze Delta area of China, Ruth engaged participants in an interactive presentation that involved multiple senses: sight, smell, sound and taste.
This mindful practice of ceremonial tea is an expression of heartfelt welcome and serves also a way for Ruth to connect to her ancestors, as her family has long produced the purple clay teapots that amplify the tea’s flavor. Growing up with a tea table prominently displayed in her family’s home, Ruth describes tea as a spiritual journey that has been integral to her life. She finds that the performance of ritual leads to conversation and connection as well as a refreshed mind.
How do you honor and share your family’s culture or traditions—or how have you shared in those of others?
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