When I Drink Tea

"Tea is an act complete in its simplicity." -Thich Nhat Hanh

Nominated by Martin Luther King, Jr. for the Nobel Peace Prize saying:
"His ideas for peace, if applied, would build a monument
   to ecumenism,
      to world brotherhood,
         to humanity."

            -Martin Luther King, Jr.

Global Spiritual Leader
Scholar
Peacemaker
Writer
Poet

This month, I wish to simply share  the poetic artistry of:

Thich Nhat Hanh
as you sip your tea.

His words. My photos. Your open heart.

Like MLK Jr., I have found his words: Complete and simple.

Just as the act of drinking tea itself.

"When I drink tea...
...there is only me and the tea."

"The rest of the world dissolves...

There are no worries about the future.

No dwelling on past mistakes."
 

"The tea is simple...
...leaf, hot pure water, a cup."

"I inhale the scent...

...tiny delicate pieces of the tea floating above the cup.

I drink the tea.

The essence of the leaves becoming a part of me.
 

I am informed by the tea.

Changed."

"This is the act of life...
...in one pure moment." 

"And in this act...

...the truth of the world suddenly becomes revealed:

All...
   Complexity.
      Pain.
         Drama of life.

Is a pretense.

Invented in our minds.
For no good purpose."

"There is only the tea.
And me.
Converging."

-Thich Nhat Hanh

Dear Tea-Drinker,

My blessing to you and myself this month: May we...
Dissolve the rest of the world from time to time; dwell on the moment rather than past mistakes or future worries.
Change through simple, sacred acts. And simple, sacred elements. A cup. Leaves. Water.
Converge with life. Releasing (if even for a moment) never-ending drama, pain, complexity. Embracing, instead, LIFE. 

As always: 

Thank you 

I'm honored to be your herbal tea farmer. 

Be well,
Shannon