I have been little discouraged lately. After years of study, teaching, and writing about Chado, I feel like I am making little headway in sharing the way of tea. Teaching cultural concepts that seem to be at odds with modern American life sometimes is an uphill battle. Because American life has become so casual, semi-formal …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/heart-to-heart-connection/
In the past year or so I have neglected to update parts of the website, but today, I went back and updated all the broken links in the “Links” section, confirmed all the links in the “articles” section, and added several new recommended books (with links as to where to obtain them) in the “For …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/issoan-website-updated/
Your temae will be better if you can do it with a clear mind. My Sensei used to say that my mind was always cluttered and that made it hard for me to concentrate and focus. When my mind is cluttered there is no room for new knowledge to enter. I needed to clear my …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/clear-mind/
Things that are worthwhile require investment. Investment means devoting time, money, energy and effort to achieve something. Things like gardening, playing an instrument, learning a language, having a relationship, having a healthy body, being a good parent, building a successful business, saving for retirement, changing a habit, fine wine, or sharp cheese all require …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/anything-worthwhile-takes-time/
Rikyu says: Lay the charcoal so it boils the water.
When I first went to Japan to study the way of tea, I didn’t know how to build a charcoal fire. My sensei really did not teach us how to do it. We would have a charcoal fire for events such as Robiraki or Hatsugama, …
Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/building-a-charcoal-fire/
