I recently came across the following and thought the words were too good not to share. Enjoy and take this gift from me to you.
The Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh teaches this wisdom through
the ceremony and meditation of tea (a Buddhist parallel to the Christian
Eucharist):
You
must be completely awake in the present to enjoy the tea.
Only in the awareness of the present, can your hands feel the pleasant warmth of the cup.
Only in the present, can you savor the aroma, taste the sweetness, appreciate the delicacy.
If you are ruminating about the past, or worrying about the future, you will completely miss the experience of enjoying the cup of tea.
You will look down at the cup, and the tea will be gone.
Life is like that.
If you are not fully present, you will look around and it will be gone.
You will have missed the feel, the aroma, the delicacy and beauty of life.
It will seem to be speeding past you. The past is finished.
Learn from it and let it go.
The future is not even here yet. Plan for it, but do not waste your time worrying about it.
Worrying is worthless.
When you stop ruminating about what has already happened, when you stop worrying about what might never happen, then you will be in the present moment.
Then you will begin to experience joy in life.
Only in the awareness of the present, can your hands feel the pleasant warmth of the cup.
Only in the present, can you savor the aroma, taste the sweetness, appreciate the delicacy.
If you are ruminating about the past, or worrying about the future, you will completely miss the experience of enjoying the cup of tea.
You will look down at the cup, and the tea will be gone.
Life is like that.
If you are not fully present, you will look around and it will be gone.
You will have missed the feel, the aroma, the delicacy and beauty of life.
It will seem to be speeding past you. The past is finished.
Learn from it and let it go.
The future is not even here yet. Plan for it, but do not waste your time worrying about it.
Worrying is worthless.
When you stop ruminating about what has already happened, when you stop worrying about what might never happen, then you will be in the present moment.
Then you will begin to experience joy in life.
The picture above shows gifts from friends: A teacup, tray, and 2 teapots.
Mindfulness, intention, being present in the moment - all ways to express the wonder we should all feel at life.
ReplyDeleteOh, I loved this, Marilyn. Thank you for sharing.
ReplyDelete~Sheri
Beautiful post with great treasures...Best wishes!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post, Marilyn! I loved reading the words that you shared comparing tea to life. What a wonderful message...thank you!
ReplyDeleteMarilyn, this is precisely what I needed to read this morning. I'm printing it out and will be rereading it. I don't even have the words to tell you how glad I am that you posted this.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautiful, Marilyn, and I am so very glad you shared it with us. Something to return to again and again.
ReplyDeleteSuch LOVELY gifts from your friends... each one a special treasure! What is the producer stamp on the holly tea cup? That is a gorgeous holly pattern! Such good wisdom, as always from Thich Nhat Hanh. Enjoy the tea not. Enjoy the life now. Thank you for this precious moment share, the gentle reminder, the joy in the beauty of life and moment... :) ((HUGS))
ReplyDeleteMarilyn, Practicing being present helps in this at times too busy season. Thanks for sharing that. Have a great week. Sylvia D.
ReplyDeleteWhat great gifts and it looks like you have an orange tree - now that's wonderful! Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this. I tend to be a worrier so this is just what I needed to hear!
ReplyDelete