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What is it about a cup of tea?


 I used to drink coffee.   

I have many fond memories of going to the cafeteria with my work colleagues, getting a cup of coffee, and savoring it.   This was before every office had a coffee machine, let alone having a Keurig or one of those fancy single-cup machines.  We truly used it as a coffee break - we would sit around our shared work table, enjoy our brew, and chat a bit before we went back to work.   I used to get a shot of hot chocolate in my coffee to create a sort of Coffee Mocha (the cafeteria had a hot chocolate machine).   

Even earlier in my professional career, I recall the pleasure with which I would approach a cup of coffee.  Somehow it represented something shared - something that connected me to the larger community and culture.   My co-workers and I used to all figure out what we wanted (in case we wanted a Danish or an English muffin as well), create a list, and one of us would trot (OK - maybe not trot) down to the corner store and come back with our completed orders.   I loved it!  Even when I was the one who had to trot (or trudge) to the corner store.

I know, I've been talking about drinking coffee.   And the title of this article suggests that it's about drinking tea.   What could have happened?

That's the question of the day!   

Now all that I want to drink is tea.  

Although I can appreciate the smell of coffee, I don't care to drink it. Even though we now have one of those fancy single-cup coffee brewers in my kitchen, I never, ever, have a cup of coffee.  

This started later in my 50's, early 60's.   Instead of relishing a cup of coffee, I would steep a cup of tea at work (Jasmine Jazz by Republic of Tea) and savor it sip by sip.   

I remember sitting in sometimes contentious meetings holding my warm mug of tea up to my face and feeling soothed by the smell, enthralled by the taste.   My workmates looked at me wonderingly - why was I not stressed?   Why was I blissfully breathing in the steam from my cup?  

Occasionally I offer special yoga classes or workshops during which I offer tea.   I'll get to the studio early, boil the water, pour it into a beautiful teapot to brew, and set up some lovely cups and spoons with choice of sweeteners.   The yoga students walk into the space and they immediately gravitate to the tea table.    I let them know that at any time during the yoga class, they are free to go back to get a refill.   And they do!   I watch them walk back to their mats with a small quiet smile on their faces as they cradle their cup of tea in their hands.  

I love inhaling the aroma of tea and feeling warmed by its subtlety.   Subtlety - could that be what has enchanted me about drinking tea?  Is there something about its nuance that draws in the soul?  

Mary Lou Heiss said, "A simple cup of tea is far from a simple matter."

Thich Nhat Hanh advised, "Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world revolves - slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future; live the actual moment."

What can be said about drinking tea?   Or drinking coffee?   Your thoughts?   Please join the conversation in the comments below.   

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Location: Wycombe, PA 18980, USA

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I am pleased that you are commenting and sharing your perspectives. Your comment will be reviewed by the moderator and then released for the public. Namaste. Debbie

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