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We are really excited to begin our new series of Yixing articles. We wish to thank all those who have supported our mission, to provide well-founded tea knowledge to the wayfarer free of charge and free of advertising.
Another lovely issue! On a purely aesthetic note, I particularly like the article heading font. It flows beautifully. it’s nice reading articles that emphasize the experience of tea, rather than just the mechanics or chemistry.
It is always important to remember that tea is an experience, a feeling or sensation; not a laboratory experiment. If the goal was objective, repeatable cups, both by us and others trying the same tea, our tea lives would quickly become extremely repetitive and boring. “Objectivity is objectionable!”, to quote Alan Watts. For this reason, as much attention must be paid to the factors of the heart as to the brewing parameters: call them what you will, perhaps choosing Rikyu’s: “Humility, Respect, Purity and Tranquility”, though there are other virtues and the list is personal. The important point I guess I’m making is that, and I can only speak for myself, given the choice between a good pot or good water or whatever other material parameters and these four virtues, I’d take these any day of the week. I’m sure your experience drinking tea in different environments proves this as well; a humble bowl of simple, green tea prepared with respect in a tranquil environment will be way more rewarding experientially than an expensive tea prepared with the best of teaware and water, if it is prepared in an atmosphere of intellectual scrutiny coupled with egotistical pride over “knowing” about tea. For that reason, the alchemy of the elements of the heart will always be of greater significance to the Way of Tea than any brewing parameters, or as you so beautifully put it “mechanics”, which make our tea mechanical.
May you drink of Satori in your next cup, my tea brother.
As some of you know, my wife is musician. She made the apropos analogy that the best music is performed and appreciated from the heart. When she is dissecting it and analyzing it for study, there is a lot less enjoyment than just sitting back and relaxing.
Also, something I thought about devoting a whole article to in a future issue is the role that the master plays in this. Since people are the most important element in tea preparation, it isn’t necessarily a bunch of methodology that we take from him or her; but humility. Humbling yourself to a master brings humility to your tea–an ingredient more beneficial than all the good leaves, water, teaware or even gong fu.
For me this has been the best issue yet. Many thanks for the work that has gone into it.
I anticipate the next issue impatiently- so will cave a pot of tea to calm down.
April 24th, 2009 at 1:42 am
WELCOME
We are really excited to begin our new series of Yixing articles. We wish to thank all those who have supported our mission, to provide well-founded tea knowledge to the wayfarer free of charge and free of advertising.
April 24th, 2009 at 1:42 am
We currently have 15,000 readers all across the globe!
April 24th, 2009 at 1:11 pm
Another lovely issue! On a purely aesthetic note, I particularly like the article heading font. It flows beautifully. it’s nice reading articles that emphasize the experience of tea, rather than just the mechanics or chemistry.
Keep up the good work!
April 25th, 2009 at 1:51 am
Thank you David.
It is always important to remember that tea is an experience, a feeling or sensation; not a laboratory experiment. If the goal was objective, repeatable cups, both by us and others trying the same tea, our tea lives would quickly become extremely repetitive and boring. “Objectivity is objectionable!”, to quote Alan Watts. For this reason, as much attention must be paid to the factors of the heart as to the brewing parameters: call them what you will, perhaps choosing Rikyu’s: “Humility, Respect, Purity and Tranquility”, though there are other virtues and the list is personal. The important point I guess I’m making is that, and I can only speak for myself, given the choice between a good pot or good water or whatever other material parameters and these four virtues, I’d take these any day of the week. I’m sure your experience drinking tea in different environments proves this as well; a humble bowl of simple, green tea prepared with respect in a tranquil environment will be way more rewarding experientially than an expensive tea prepared with the best of teaware and water, if it is prepared in an atmosphere of intellectual scrutiny coupled with egotistical pride over “knowing” about tea. For that reason, the alchemy of the elements of the heart will always be of greater significance to the Way of Tea than any brewing parameters, or as you so beautifully put it “mechanics”, which make our tea mechanical.
May you drink of Satori in your next cup, my tea brother.
–Wu De–
April 25th, 2009 at 8:24 am
As some of you know, my wife is musician. She made the apropos analogy that the best music is performed and appreciated from the heart. When she is dissecting it and analyzing it for study, there is a lot less enjoyment than just sitting back and relaxing.
Also, something I thought about devoting a whole article to in a future issue is the role that the master plays in this. Since people are the most important element in tea preparation, it isn’t necessarily a bunch of methodology that we take from him or her; but humility. Humbling yourself to a master brings humility to your tea–an ingredient more beneficial than all the good leaves, water, teaware or even gong fu.
–Wu De–
June 3rd, 2009 at 6:48 pm
Check out the new site:
http://www.sagacitea.com
June 10th, 2009 at 5:19 am
For me this has been the best issue yet. Many thanks for the work that has gone into it.
I anticipate the next issue impatiently- so will cave a pot of tea to calm down.
July 28th, 2009 at 12:06 pm
I just read issue 5 with much enjoyment. Thank you for releasing it freely.