According to legend, tea leaves either fell, serendipitously, into Emperor Shen Nung’s (Divine Healer) cup of boiling water some time around 2700 BC causing him to notice that drinking the brew conquered sleep and cured thirst; or Bodhidharma, frustrated from not being able to remain in meditative awakeness for seven years, threw his eyelids on the ground and a tea bush sprouted.

Legends of initial discovery such as these help us remember and honor our ancestors, who determined by the process of trial and error whether any particular vegetation was edible or poisonous. They learned the properties of tea, the leaves of the evergreen Camillia sinensis, and passed that knowledge on to us. The New Year is a traditional time to pay homage to ancestors, as well as to the possibilities of future findings.

From its discovery in China, to several centuries later, when it was brought to Japan, then to the Russians and Indians, and, subsequently, to the Dutch and English, who brought it to the rest of the world, tea has been associated with taking a "moment." A momentary pause to just sip, relax and take the time to reflect away from worldly cares and concerns.

Both the Chinese and Japanese formulated tea ceremonies that were designed as transformative practices. The Chinese ceremony stresses smell and taste in a peaceful atmosphere meant to induce tranquility and harmony. The Japanese tea ceremony, founded by Rikyu, focuses on treasuring each meeting at a particular moment in time—a moment that only comes once. Making a cup of tea can be an exercise in nowness like no other.

The development of the tea taking ritual developed as an exercise in one-pointedness. Notice your mind being watchful, precise and appreciative. While carefully observing what is happening and what you are doing, your mind is becoming trained in awareness. It is possible to be so well-trained in the procedures that they come naturally. You can then make tea with no other thought in mind. You are so well-trained that there is not even a thought of making tea.

 If you can make a proper cup of tea, you can do anything. Boil the fresh water.  Measure the leaves. Rinse the teapot. Pour hot water over the leaves. Allow the brew to rest. Offer the results to your guests. Drink while hot. Sounds simple. Acute heightened awareness has the opportunity to arise in such simple circumstances. Everything can be as if outlined and laced in symbolism-- every gesture, movement and breath. The noticing begets refinement and elegance.

After a regular session of meditation you have a choice: either boil some water and plop in a tea bag or notice what you are doing slowly and very carefully. Observe the details, expression and purpose for each and every minute gesture. Drinking a cup of tea and the simplicity of meditation techniques are very close to each other. The idea of simplicity here is not something that needs to be achieved but becomes a natural part of who you are. Choose what is important. Are you a follower of Rikyu or the Mad Hatter?

What you do all the time is who you are. - Martin Luther King

The optimal situation is to take tea in a clean, well-arranged, quiet and tranquil spot, away from worldly activity and free from distractions. Whether you are creating a special ceremony or having afternoon tea with savories and sweets, use pure, clean water, ideally from a mountain spring. Perhaps sip alone with a good book, or share a cup with close friends. Keep your conversations free from disturbing topics. Tea drinking offers a time to reflect and celebrate the essential pause.

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