The Study of Tea

Studying Tea...

Many ask or wonder what the study of Tea involves.. They see the fluid, smooth movements of the Host and believe that it looks so simple, so easy. Others come time and again, and little by little they are able to predict what the Host will do next and yet, despite having attended many, many Tea ceremony events, when the time comes to try making Tea, the new student is often at a loss of where to start, or what to do from moment to moment.

This feeling, the early stages of memorization can take quite a few years. For some reason, as soon as the mind becomes conscious, or aware - the thread of actions is lost and the student's mind goes blank. Often, we refer to students at this point as 'suffering blanks' in their Tea. It is something that is overcome through the active review and study, as well as through visualization exercises and physical practice.

Typical lessons last 1-2 hours, but many who are too busy to attend each week regularly lose the thread of their study and find that the inconsistency they apply to Tea slows their progress. For this reason, many study Tea for years and years and years!

Throughout the progression of learning, the body begins to remember little by little and the practitioner may even find themselves forgetting what they've done, surprised a little, at how their handsseem to know what to reach for next - and what to do. This stage is the early sign that with a little more dedicated effort and study, very soon, the practioner will be able to complete the entire sequence without straining to remember. It is very exciting when the day comes that the student feels a true sense of confidence and can go through the Tea Ceremony, from start to finish, without reminder or correction from the Teacher - without hesitation or interruption. For me, this was a stage I longed to reach in Tea.

Over the years, the Goal becomes less important than the Process; the enjoyment comes not so much from being able to feel a mastery over form - but instead, the real journey towards inner mastery is just beginning. Acheiving mere memorization, formally such a challenge, such an unattainable goal, becomes insignificant when the student reaches the next gate or path: the understanding that there is yet, a lifetime more of knowledge to acquire about the associated artforms that encompass Tea.

Ideally, the student comes to the realization that Tea and its practice is not about being admired for the prettiness of one's technique, but that it is of greater importance to keep all our attention on the needs of the guest and set aside our own ego entirely. This point within study is truly statisfying, because the Tea practioner is beginning to reach an understanding of the value of the Way of Tea itself: that it is about more than acquiring a series of steps or skills; it is about being able to collaborate with others in the pursuit of spiritual perfection.

Teachers will typically encourage learning all the movements of Tea within class, under the close watch of the Master's eye: too often bad habits are acquired through careless practice, or mistaken fossilization of errors which go uncorrected. The student needs to learn physically, not intellectually and while some facts, figures and explanations can be given about symbolism or practicality, Tea should truly be learned and understood over the course of Time.

In order to keep the student alert and appreciative of the variations and multitude of permutations of Tea, materials are changed from week to week - with the seasons - and the blooming of different flowers so that the students remain dedicated to their practice. The student should never be allowed to become over-confident in their abilities: this arrogance is the antithesis of Tea and students must be taught to appreciate that Tea is a lifelong path, not a passing fancy.

The goal of attending a chaji, or being able to 'do' Tea should not be the ultimate goal or purpose to study Tea. Tea is about appreciating and enjoying the process itself; within each practice session, lesson or gathering - the feeling of committment to Tea should be to move towards true self-realization.