The Zen of Tea Time

"Drink your tea slowly and reverently,
as if it is the axison which the world earth revolves-
slowly, evenly, without
rushing toward the future;
Live the actual moment.
Only this moment is life."
- Thich Nhat Hanh

Drinking tea is the perfect meditation for me at the end of the day. It is a tactile, sensuous experience. First I shut my eyes, cupping my hands around the large shiny black mug, my palms warmed by the steaming hot liquid. I press my bottom lip carefully to the rim, and before sipping breathe in very slowly through my nose. The minty aroma creeps up my nostrils, cleansing sinus cavities, and as I exhale I feel a tingling at the top of my head where the “third eye” is supposed to be. I open my eyes and catch a glimpse of my reflection wavering on the surface.

I take a sip. I feel it on my tongue and teeth, the back of my throat, then it cascades down my esophagus like contrast dye highlighting vital organs to be seen in an ultrasound picture, each body part lights up as it is warmed by my chamomile tea.

I blissfully swallow the drink bit by bit until I can see the bottom of the deep dark mug, the temperature now not quite so hot. I let the last sip linger in my mouth for awhile before swallowing.

Right now I feel like a calm person. I don’t even care that I need an herbal aide to meditate.