Things Chado has taught me, part 3

This post previously appeared on this blog as 10 things Midorikai has taught me I have updated and expanded  for the purposes of this list.  The lessons from my experience still ring true today, more than ever. What about you? What are the things Chado has taught you?

Here is the list:

  1. Be open to the experience that life presents you.  We may have our expectations of how our life will unfold. But say yes more often than no.  Opportunities may not look like what you have expected or wished for.
  2. Be thankful everyday for the life you have.  Electricity at the turn of a switch, shelter, freedom from hunger, these things are easy to take for granted.  Gratitude, even for your troubles because they help you grow.
  3. Be kind to other people.  It is a mindset and it doesn’t take anything away from you to encourage, listen closely, say something nice or acknowledge someone.  Small things can have big impacts on other people.
  4. Do your best, all the time.  Cynicism doesn’t serve you.  You cannot live life at half-speed. There simply is  not enough time.
  5. Leave something for people who follow you.  If you develop knowledge or expertise, pass it on. It does no good if it dies with you.  Mentor others, take on apprentices, teach.
  6. The people you don’t get along with are your teachers.  At the minimum, it is good training for you to learn how to handle people and situations you don’t like.  At the other end, you might make them your allies.
  7. Excuses are a waste of time.  They let you off the hook so you don’t have to change or do anything different.  It is a way of avoiding accountability and responsibility.
  8. Be generous.  Giving has its own reward.  You will be amazed at how much comes back to you.
  9. Be careful about acquiring things.  Things won’t fulfill you.  The more you own the less space you have.  What you buy and accumulate says a lot about you.
  10. Learn to let go.  We are taught to hold on. Let go of grudges, of mistakes, of behaviors that don’t serve you or of people who are no longer good for you.

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New classes forming at Issoan

Two new classes forming for February 19

Introduction to Chado, 4:00 pm. 10 week Introduction to Chado the way of tea.  For those who want to know more about Japanese Culture,  this 10 week introduction  will examine the arts of Japan through the ritual preparation and drinking of matcha, Japanese ceremonial tea.  More information here.

Beginning Chanoyu, 2:00 pm, For those who have taken the Introduction to Chado class, this 10 week class will focus on beginning procedures for making tea. Students need not have take the introduction to Chado class, but need Instructor permission.  For more information  here.

Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/new-classes-forming-at-issoan/

Hatsugama 2023

This year Issoan celebrated Hatsugama in a hybrid as still some people cannot come to the tea room, and some people attended from out of town.

The first seki I laid sumi and served tenshin meal.

 

Then a break and our zoom guests joined us for sweets and tea.  Thank you all for joining to celebrate the New Year.

 

Permanent link to this article: https://issoantea.com/hatsugama-2023/

New Year poetry gathering

Happy New Year from Issoan Tea.  This morning we met for the 5th annual poetry gathering at Issoan.  It is always a popular event as we visit, talk, share incense, potluck food, and sweets and tea over the course of 4 hours as we compose a poem for the year.  This year we had 8 participants and so there were 30 verses in the poem.

Here is this year’s collaborative poem:

  1. A New Day

Darkness turns to dawn
As Tiger yields to Rabbit
A new day begins!
Each moment brings potentials;
Each second invites new change

  1. Snow on Distant Hills

Each second invites new change
I walk along the path to the tea house
As I look up, the distant hills covered with white
Seem much closer today
I pull my collar against the cold

  1. Cold Dew

I pull my collar against the cold
My shoulders brush the branches
Glittering drops, tiny gems
Falling from the leaves
A trail leading home

  1. A Good Meal

A trail leading home
Familiar yet always new
Passing through the roji
Hints of the tearoom through the branches
Anticipating an intimate meal with friends

  1. Bundle up

Anticipating an intimate meal with friends
And talks that can warm up the soul.
White snow rustles behind shoji
Bundling up the world from severe cold.

  1. Travel

From severe cold
I steel myself for a long journey
A long time delayed
Preparations finally complete
I look to the horizon

  1. New vistas

I look to the horizon
Taking the first step
Long anticipated
My imagination soars
What will I find ahead?

  1. Adventure

What will I find ahead?
A path opens into the mountains,
Three roads fork into its depths
On one side, birds chirp among the trees; on the other,
A trickle of water gurgles away.

  1. Beauty of nature

A trickle of water gurgles away
All around me nature glows
A thousand shades of green
Looking deep into the sky
I walk deep into the forest

  1. Small stream

I walk deep into the forest
Following the sound of nature’s laughter
A stream flowing over stones
Far ahead between trees
Sunlight glistens on the water

  1. Dappled light

Sunlight glistens on the water
Beckoning me forward
The forest closes in quiet and the sounds of birds
As they flit through the trees
Walking in and out of light

  1. Chance meeting

Walking in and out of light
In the world of shadows
Brings plenty things into the sight.
So, don’t be scared and don’t hide
Let the chance lead you to a new meeting

  1. Conversation

Let the chance lead you to a new meeting
Once in a lifetime experience
Connecting over time and space
Travelers on separate paths temporarily intersecting
Sharing warmth and joy

  1. Laughter

Sharing warmth and joy
Discovery of common interests
Laughter comes easily
A turn of the wheel
Have we met before?

  1. Falling in love

Have we met before?
An encounter of a lifetime—
Or encounters throughout a lifetime?
To meet, separate, and perhaps reconvene—
When will we see each other’s smiles again?

  1. Out in the fields

When will we see each other’s smiles again?
When the flowers fill the fields
The sun shines throughout the day
Growing fruits in abundance
Blue skies fill with clouds

  1. Storm clouds

Blue skies fill with clouds
A veil across the sun
White to grey, darker and darker
Anticipation builds
The first drop falls

  1. Standing in the rain

The first drop falls
The smell of damp earth
Rises up in greeting
Then the rain descends
Drops of rain on my upturned face

  1. Parting

Drops of rain on my upturned face
Like stitches that join the Earth and the Sky
Marking your way
After you said good-bye
To people at home and made the first pace

  1. The pine stands alone

To people at home and made the first pace
Continuing on the mountain path
A single soul passes a lone pine
Standing against wind, rain and time
Solitude the sole companion

  1. Contemplation

Solitude the sole companion
The mountain ageless
Winding road ascends
A leaf blows across my path
I look within

 

  1. Reflection

I look within
And see eight billion people.
Are these me?
Outside,
Those eight billion people are also me.

  1. Deep breath

Those eight billion people are also me
Crowding out thoughts coming swiftly
How can I find myself?
I inhale and slowly, let my breath fade
The world is made new again

  1. Be here now

The world is made new again
Every moment unique
Never to occur again
Savor where and when you are
The present is a gift

  1. A new day

The present is a gift
Like the sun rising over a mountain
Changing light drenches everything
Illuminating the world slowly
Every day new and the same

  1. Snow on distant hills

Every day new and the same
Never repeats
Snow on distant hills.
Is that the old capital
Where my heart is left?

  1. A good meal

Where my heart is left
Nostalgia carries me forward
Wisps of memory, a scent, a taste
Of a home cooked meal filling my body and soul
For many steps are still to come

  1. Travel

For many steps are still to come
The way is long
The journey brings new experiences
Each bend in the road a surprise
I crest the hill

  1. New vistas

I crest the hill
And peer into the distance
The sun follows me over the horizon,
First illuminating the soaring peaks
Then shining on the hidden valleys.

  1. Beauty of Nature

Then shining on the hidden valleys
Secrets slowly reveal themselves
If you are patient and wait
Nature gives whole heartedly
Its beauty to anyone who can see.

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Happy New Year from Issoan Tea

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