Waiting for the Ritual

                                                  "There is something in the nature of tea 

                                         that leads us into a world of quiet contemplation."

Lin Yutang

We each have our own special technique for contemplation.  It could be sitting on a porch swing; visiting a museum; wandering in a library; or extend prayers in a quiet chapel.  For some, however, a cup of tea will expand into a memorable ritual for quieting the brain. 

As a distraction, we could stroke a purring cat or mindlessly color as a means of distracting the brain so emotions or feelings can be released easily.  The same is true of sipping tea.  The aroma of the tea may distract our monkey brains while our thoughts escape out into the open.

For contemplation, one may have an antique tea pot and a family heirloom tea cup set aside just for this purpose.   It might be taken off the shelf deliberately for quiet meditation.  A journal may linger by the comfortable chair near the window, waiting for this ritual to begin.