Through over 5 years on my blog, many things have changed personally, some at least in part inspired by tea. As tea drinkers we get a lot of questions on what tea is to us, or why we drink tea. Honestly though through those 5 years and actually back further I realize tea has pretty much been a constant in my life. Why does this simple set of leaves thrown into hot water help people relax, wake up, recover, etc...?
Tea was there for me after my first traffic accident. Tea was used to celebrate numerous happy occasions in my or my friends lives. Tea has broken down barriers with friends. It has also granted me comfort and time to meditate when I thought there was no such thing as free time. There seems to be something about these tea leaves that has caused tea to be enjoyed so much throughout history. This effect of being a near panacea for everything live can throw at us certainly has been known for quite a while in east Asian religions. Tea and Zen have been said to be one and the same, especially as their fate/history in certain counties are incredibly intertwined.
The most amazing thing though is how unassuming tea can actually be. It will be exactly what you want or need it to be, even if that item is some dry withered leaves tossed in water with no celebration or fanfare. Tea however I have learned does demand at least two things, and they are incredibly important.
Tea must be enjoyed, and tea must be shared. All else is up to us.
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