Tea embodies the elements that make us human and also incorporates those ideals that teach us that we are not solely human.

Tea is often referred to as a cup of humanity. The symbolic identity behind using three fingers to hold your tea cup is that they indeed represent: Heaven, Earth, Human. So what is it about tea that captures all of humanity in a cup? This very question asks us to define our concept of humanity. Without lengthy discourse on the Philos of man and existence, suffice it to say that for our purposes humanity is our ability as humans to coexist and look upon each other as equals. Just as tea in 14th and 15th Century Japan was served in severely small thatch huts where participants were made to kneel before entrance simply to even fit through the door if not also as a display of deference. Around these tea tables men became equals and tea acted as a great unifier, so great that at one point Aesthetics were able to view the Japanese and Chinese cultures as being equal.

Upon first glimpse tea is simply a hot beverage served and enjoyed world over. The various shades of yellow, green and brownish broths that have been named tea seem somewhat unimpressive until tasted. Most people in the world have their interests, it seemingly is the thing that keeps most people living a life on the planet. Without these interests life seems dull and it is too easy for humans to become disengaged, depressed or worse unobservant. Tea like anything else has its secrets that are revealed only unto sincere seekers. For most who have had a tea-wakening there is no turning back. Once someone knows, even at the most nominal level, the potential for tea to change ones’ entire perspective in an instant, they cannot look back even for a second. For many this awakening is a cup of tea that has been brewed  for them. The smooth body and beautiful liquor take the once passive observer so completely off-guard that there is a moment when thoughts cease and there is no longer a question that proceeds us, keeping us eternally distant from our ever-present reality. For us this is exactly where we should be all the time, beginner’s mind. The difference is that even if that moment comes once we distort it with our romanticisms about it and try to replicate it with the exact external agreements that were present when it happened, as best as we remember them, soon forgetting that the only experience that ever happened was internal. The taste of Zen and the taste of Tea are the same -Buddhist Saying

Consider the Zen idealism: every act no matter how mundane should be seen as a step towards enlightenment. The act of making tea has acted in many traditional and ancient cultures as a vehicle for enlightenment. What seems simple in today’s modernized society is none the less still practiced with great reverence and focus the same way it was practiced hundreds of years ago by few. The difference is presence. Tea becomes a vehicle for enlightenment when we realize that even a seemingly mundane act is a an opportunity for us to step out of the way and allow the presence of Spirit to flow through us uninterruptedly. The metaphor thus extends itself to all aspects of our life, it is not as though one is only enlightened when behind the tea table and then steps down to play folly in any number of worldly pleasures. No matter the task the ingredients for success remain the same: Presence, Dynamic Focus and Joy.

We share tea for a number of reasons and also because there is no reason. Many spiritual Masters are depicted as sharing a cup of tea with their students. Tea traditionally drunk in silence allows for the highest possible transmission of spiritual vibrations to be imparted unto those present. Tea is shared in many remote parts of the world as a literal sharing of sustenance or life force. Tea can be shared to close or open a business deal. We share tea as a way of saying that we agree with one another or that our feelings are mutual. Any one tea ceremony can be powerful enough to bond souls for life or even lifetimes of friendship. Our agreeing to be a tea server represents our willingness to be of service to all of humanity no matter what is needed or when, we are flexible and will sacrifice our desires to create a sustainable future for all who would agree on the truth of one universal humanity.

Like a truth serum, tea can loosen us up to the point where people who were unknown half an hour ago are now more like fun relatives who have just come over for a visit. If we are going to talk about tea, we may as well include Par-tea! A time for tea is a time to get loose and the older the tea; the greater the Qi. With our bodies, physical, emotional and mental being bombarded by external and internal stressors we are too often, locked up. When energy stops moving through the physical and spiritual bodies it is literally like our bank accounts being frozen. However, when this happens we call the bank in a panic and demand that we be un-humiliated or given back the right to spend our money. But when energy is locked in our own being it often goes unnoticed for days, months even decades. The Qi energy in tea is not unlike our own Qi and interacts with us in such a way that there is a mutual exchange, using one to move or complement the other. As Qi blocks, different than LEGO® blocks, are released any number of pent up emotions, fears, mental disturbances and even physical pains may come undone. Without words or reasons tea silently heals us.

by Steve Bonnell

Tea does not ask us to renounce the world but rather to unite all the elements that determine its make up with the heavens. Said more simply, when we make tea we use all of the five natural elements, according to traditional Chinese philosophy, and we give those elements expression of consciousness, determined by our own perspective and intuition. In this way our body becomes a laboratory. Our bodies innately contain all of the elements needed to sustain physical life on this planet, otherwise we would not be living, yet we are also vehicles beyond our predetermined electrical imprint, for the mysterious presence of That which animates the flesh.

Though it is true that we can stray far away from the truth that is our very own being, we can never remain that which we are not, forever. That is to say, That which we truly are will reclaim us in the end. Tea lacks judgement or reason by man’s standards, it simply is. He who is married to judgement and reason cannot relate to such a simple reality, instead the eternal elixir of tea would soon be better spent run into a gutter, for at least there it will eventually merge with a great river back to the ocean.

If we see imbibing tea as an opportunity for two distinctly unique parties to work together toward achieving the same end than we have seen far beyond the grosser act that is taking place on the physical plane and delved deeply into a subtler reality that involves cooperation, transmutation and transformation.

Regardless of the unheard stipulations on behalf of the growers and producers of tea there is but one major responsibility on behalf of the drinker, along with a many minor responsibilities; Enjoy Thyself. Tea is truly the beverage of Joy! Tea is a gift mostly because it offers itself with a complete lack of self-interest, instead moreover we are given the choice to enjoy it or not to enjoy it.

Because our culture is silently obsessed with science and exactitudes, I am often asked the same questions about tea by many: what temperature? how much tea? and what length of time? Other than responding kindly to another fellow human being these words uttered, often as if life itself had never been tasted, mean nothing! That is to say, we are completely unaware to the extend to which scientific homogenization has not only de-humanized us but also left us with no sense spontaneity, this stark adjustment from what makes us human in the first place has bred a complacent race of beings not merely controlled by fear but bound by a far more dismal fate: lack of imagination. Though you can give rough estimates for brewing this mysterious leaf for consistency in taste and strength, you can never teach someone how to pull the true joy out of tea leaves.

The Gong Fu Cha Master who makes good tea does so not due to skill alone. Their consciousness is elevated to the point where they are able to be fully present with the leaf: understanding it at a level that must be intuited by the heart. At this level there is no question about temperature, duration or amount, all become a fluid recognition between brewer and leaf. The mind of the Tea Master must be still, because tea itself is like a clean mirror, it reflects the every thought, emotion, even distraction ever witnessed by it unto those who imbibe it. When the consciousness of a group of drinkers is fully present with the tea, the tea takes on sentient qualities and is able to share a tangible personality and reality with those present. Furthermore the Tea Master brewing the tea is far from being the star of the show, he or she simply acts as an instrument to brew in the manner that is best for others enjoyment, even if they themselves do not get to taste the tea.

A Tea Master is like a band’s drummer. A good drummer is able to hold an entire band together while remaining for the most part unseen and unheard. A good drummer plays just enough without overplaying to give the perfect accentuation to the other players. A good Tea Master brews without the thought of becoming known as a good tea brewer, rather to pull the joy out of the leaves for others that they may glean what he or she has bore witness to many times before.

In the quiet, still, pale moonlight I retreat to my humble thatch hut, leaving my shoes of worldly duties at the door. I reverently enter this temple of solitude alone. Here I witness each moment as its own, each unique and beguiling. I brew tea with both concentration and consecration, for even here I am brewing not for myself but to probe the mystery of true being itself. If I am successful than this session with have been observed by nothing and no one.

Though service as a Tea Master can give one great joy it is not to be confused with the necessity for deep exploration in the laboratory of the heart. The very fact that we recognize tea’s gift and have a desire to share it gives new added depth to tea and ceremony. If we took in all of the factors that bring tea to the proverbial table, a ceremony seems like the least we can do to honor its very existence. All this said tea is a vehicle for understanding deeper truths about ourselves, our relationships to others and also to the universe at large. In the very end even tea will cease to exist period as all of our memories will fade back into their original state, silvery beams projected onto the fine tapestry that is our individual and collective lives. But for now, all things considered and for the sake of true humanitarianism lets sit for a while and enjoy a steaming cup of tea.

by Steve Bonnell

We all play the part of being helpers to one another, even to the extent that we profess about things which we ourselves have absolutely no idea on how to achieve. As the story goes one friend inspires another who is down on their luck, to reach great heights and live for something greater than themselves. Without hesitation the friend who was originally down takes their words to heart. A year later the two friends meet and the one who gave the advice see’s the other shining with success, new job, new relationship and new sense of purpose. So what’s left? In comparison the friend who was originally a little down has risen to such a great height that the original comparison seems minute when put into perspective. What changed?

Our words have as much power as we would give them. If we do not often keep our word or carelessly arrive late with no factors worthy of excuse, than the power that might have infused our words has all but flown, our words then are more like a love letter used to catch kindling in a bonfire. When we keep our word and try our hardest and even admit our failures, our words eventually become like those written in stone, whose legacy has survived many a century, many a moon. When inspiration is combined with dynamic will power, it is like turning the ignition key, the more combustable fuel added to the project or situation the smoother and faster it goes. Friend A had the inspiration, but friend B had the purpose to put it into action. This same principal is also true for those who aspire to become sports players or movie stars, though many can buy their way to the top, the ones who have clearly struggled to get where they are, are all the much richer for the life and soul experience that they have gained through the process. Those with a reason to rise above their present situation can use their dissatisfaction as fuel to reach great heights, no one will change you from the outside-in, the work must be done from the inside-out.

Ok, Ok, but what does this have to do with tea, well, nothing per se but let’s contemplate together, shall we? First of all, their are many types of tea and many ways that tea is produced packed and sold. No matter how high our aspirations are in life, if our motivation is like tea bag tea, than we may only get the proverbial car out of the garage and decide otherwise once the weather changes. Most people these days consider themselves to be coffee-seurs or purveyors of fine and distinct coffee’s from around the world, yet the tea bag remains the standard issue for restaurants, grocery stores and just about any venue where beverages are sold. Ok, imagine this. You take your partner’s family out for a surprise engagement dinner at a posh hot spot in your favorite city. The food looks amazing, you haven’t even ordered yet and your watching artisan plates drop down all around you. Your excited, the Fam is excited and then you ask to see the wine list. Instead of a bottle list you get a postcard that says White, Red and Blush. Amused you smile and catch the attention of your nearest waiter and ask, “Can I see a bottle list?” He is now smiling also and tells you that they conveniently serve 3 types of Franzia® box wine. Wow, you didn’t think that your imagination of expectancy for fine wines could possibly relate to how a tea lover feels when they walk into their favorite restaurant and are shot down. The maitre de will surely try and calm you by saying, “well, this is what we carry and no one has ever complained.”

I’ve got another one, for the coffee lovers. Dinner is over, fine steaks and seafood, with local farms listed, amazing in-house cellar aged Pinot Noir, directly from a winery within an hours’ drive, great appetizers, time for dessert. Luscious black and white molten chocolate cake with white chocolate drizzle and 80% dark chocolate flakes. Ordering this is no problem, you take the time to ask, “which coffee roaster do you work with to get your beans?” Your host who has been amazingly knowledgeable all night draws a complete blank, they say, “let me check” and run off. Looks across the table, is this person new? They seemed to know so much about the menu. When they return they tell you, “It’s a Bunn®, that’s the roaster we use”. You say, “Isn’t that a coffee maker?” they say, “Yeah, roaster/maker isn’t that the same thing?” The person who you’ve invited to this Wonderful-up-until-this-moment evening asks, “What kind of coffee do you brew here?” “Millstone”.

Not so funny. Welcome to the reality of every card carrying tea lover in America. Yes high demand for finer wines and coffee’s has driven the market to an insatiable thirst. A time machine would show a different story, a story of what beverages were like before we ‘Knew too much’. If we drink coffee in the morning and wine at night to ‘balance’ ourselves, what takes us out of the rat-race? No matter how you ‘cut it’ Tea is a beverage for transcendence! The higher quality the leaves the higher the high. Tea in silk sachets are merely paying lip service to those who crave high quality loose leaf tea. Is the world awake yet? Or do we just lie down and accept the fate of a great beer, wine and coffee selection at the expense of tea bag tea? Watch the restaurants who have already opened their ‘sails’ to the wind of change, the wind of high quality tea. They are like the movie makers who put their movies into Blu-Ray® format when they went to sell them, long before we knew which format was going to edge the other out, these in other words will be the survivors. As the world wakes up, it requires better fuel, it demands high quality tea!

I have been personally appalled at the restaurants that I would have figured to have the best tea, yet it was less available there, than the restaurants that have showed me no love by giving me a selection of Tetley®, Chinese restaurants. Serving poor tea is one issue, but denying something that is so engrained into ones’ culture, quite another; no one in Texas turns down a steak, expect for the owner of Whole Foods®, a self-titled vegan. I would be thrilled to know if there was a secret code character for really good tea, that only those within the culture knew to ask for and everyone else, myself included, was served lousy tea. Sure it may exist, but on a whole that is not the case. Even within the district of internationality it is every man for himself. No restaurant owner walks a block to his favorite teahouse and pays for a pound of choice tea, that he could potentially turn profit on, for his place. [excuse blatant but not mal-intentioned racism] People are still given a small cup after dim sum and told, “this-a dark tea, very good for digestion”. Dark what? where did this come from?

If no one is educated about the possibility of choices that exist, than no one will ever think to make them, or at least that is the model that has worked thus far. When we educate we share living ideas that they may be passed on, when we reserve information for a limited few, we deny the progress of the human race and inevitably, ourselves. If you are a restaurant owner, look into buying high quality teas, you’ll educate your market, end tea-lover suffering and yes, even turn a decent profit! If you are a restaurant goer, and love tea, grill them about their tea selection, ask them if they carry loose leaf, ask them if they think Folgers® is a good choice for their coffee, ask them to call me, on my day off, start a riot! The more momentum, the bigger the wave, Surf’s Up!

Watch as the world changes beneath your feet, do you ebb and flow with it or resist hard it’s unpredictable nature. What begins as excusable static later becomes a gong, ringing ever-louder, and finally a drum that beats steady, your heart is either in-tune with this drum or it is not, your choice.

Walking your talk and drinking your Tao are one in the same. What you put in your body eventually comes out, in more than one way. What we fuel our body with affects our physical form, yes, and though we may not always pay attention to it, our energy body can as clear be as a Montana sky or be clouded to the point of trying to spot a small schooner across the lake on an otherwise foggy morning. You wanna be the supermarket Shaman? Keep telling others how to run their lives, whilst ignoring your own. If you wish to ride the legally-sold upper and downer roller coaster, be my guest. But if you’ve just purchased your last ticket on the Puker, than let me know I have a Way off of the ‘ride’.

When we walk our talk, our words become carvings etched into massive stone walls held in place by our will to carry things out. Don’t we need an elixir that is in alignment with these principals, one that has withstood the test of time, one that is completely natural, one that will wont fill you up and never let’s you down, for real. If we are to walk our talk, we must drink our Tao, our truth, our transcendence, otherwise talk is cheap.

by Steve Bonnell