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Cha Dao 茶道 in Chinese tea culture means more than the artistic presentation of tea ceremony, or the fine quality in flavor and taste from a cup of tea, it involves much deeper learning and daily living culture which’s embraced the traditiional Chinese Yin-Yang wisdom and living philosophies in Chinese Buddhism, Daoism, and Confucianism

Tea Morals

In “Cha Jing” written by Lu Yu, he has mentioned tea morals for the personality cultivation in four Chinese words which worthwhile for repeatedly relearn through reflection:

“精 jing”

The direct English translation is “Refinement”. How to refine the daily life is a matter of choice, the challenge is whether we know what and how to take own responsibilities for the choice we chose.

Making tea is same as making self and vice versa; how to create and sustain the harmony in life subjects to how we manage details in everyday’s life.

“行 xing”

It’s about behaviors and manners; it’s upto whether we are willing to delightfully implement in daily life without feeling been impulsed or obligated, it also urges us to rethink the philosopophy of what and how to put “Knowing & Acting in One” ( by Scholar Wang YangMing in Ming Dynasty). There are plenty great thinking in different languages in the East and the West, but sharing the same essence of reminding us the important values of collectivism, mutual respect and unitity.

The time of our life is limited, but the collective values that we can create and leave behind can be unlimited based on the efforts to pass on accurate knowledge and leave behind with good examples. We can create life values by self discipline, reflections as self examination and enlightenment through non-stop learning attitude.

“俭 jian”

Frugal in English which reminds us the importance in thrifty, pinching, chary and forehanded not only in everyday’s life but also important for society development which through tea we learn to put the principles of self-discipline, no greed, no corruption and no depravity to become a better person.

“德 De”

Moral in English, which is emphasized in Chinese Buddhism, Daoism and Confucianism in 5000 years Chinese civilization history, and has great influence to improve the quality of everyday’s life till today; it also links with the essence in harmony of “Respect, Purity, Calm”.

Are these moral principles only limited to the learning and practicing of tea? Or actually it has very good impact to individual daily living and collective society development?

Let’s have a cup of tea !

#chineseteamaster #chineseteainantwerp #fineteainantwerp #teacenterinantwerp #chinesetea_mindfulness #chajing #luyu #teamorals

name card

Difference in Living Tea vs. Cha Dao

茶有道俗之分吗?

LuYu said

Tea, the essence for health cultivation, it helps to unthirst, release stressful energy, ease headache, brighten vision, calming worries, good for joints, cast way tireness; regularly drinking tea for a longer period of time helps to bring joy to mind, improve and refreshing thinking…..Besides those basic health benefits, tea lovers who truly into tea would also appreciate 5 (five) beauties in life, which are:

  • The beauty in Taste
  • The beauty in Tea Ware
  • The beauty in Fire
  • The beauty in Drinking
  • The beauty in Mind

Mental state in tea actually is not that differ from the daoist mind in poem or other arts. Only those who respect tea and consciously embrace the calm, peaceful energy can bring out the taste of harmony !

陆羽说:“茶,乃养生之精,可以解热渴、驱凝闷、缓脑痛、明眼目、息烦恼、舒关节、荡昏寐,长期饮用可以有利悦志、增益思考……这些对身体健康的益处还在其次,善茶之人必有五美,即
味之美、
器之美、
火之美、
饮之美、
境之美。

茶的境界与诗情道心并无分别,境界高的人才能泡出天人合一的滋味!

Critical 3 Minds learning

In life we will experience a lot ups and downs, regardless age, there are 3 major learnings we all have to encounter in life:

  • What and how to maintain innocence in mind – the most easiest way is to give self sometime to embrace it through reflection
  • Do best with devotion – we don’t always get what we want or have hoped for, and no complaints or signs can help but do our best as we can everyday.
  • Learn to let go before it’s too late – Indeed happy moments can bring smiles on our face but eventually will fade away in time when we get old; however, learnings from painful experience open more windows of learning that eventually turn into strenths that stay for life.

https://youtube.com/shorts/vhweeEYwKiA

I am, for who I am and how I am

To my husband and children, same as many friends know me for being “stubborness with dignity” but not necessary know how my upbringing has influenced who I am and how I am.

I was the only child in the family for the first six years in my life. At that time, even though as a military family in the 60’s, we had a pretty earthy and rough life and I could only see my Dad 2 max. 3 times a year. But I really had a very fine memories from the wild childhood and love from my parents. I stayed with the best friend of my parents for nearly 8 months before I saw my younger brother for the first time. Immediately I loved the idea to take care of him by being a ‘elder sister’. When Nian Yong was young, he often got sick; so it’s normal that he got all the attention and care from my parents and accepted Mom has no extra energy for me.

Dad used to lead soldiers, so it’s ‘normal’ that I have to take the responsibility based on joint and several ‘liability’ for my brother; I learned to accept it without argument.

One night I had a very strang dream when I was 9-10 years old, when I woke up I started to question whether I was adopted, but I did not dare to ask but kept quiet. The real question rose when I had my first blood test at the age of 12, because I am the only one in the family with A blood type while Dad and brother are O and Mom is B. But again, I dared not to ask, simply put this question in the drawer in heart. That year we went to Taichung for uncle Chen’s wedding, I was so exciting because it was the first time I wore stockings with a beautiful dress and new shoes. In the middle of wedding feest, Mom and Dad decided to leave earlier after meeting a full-sized woman with a little boy, who were them? I dared not ask until when I was 16 years old that little boy sent me a letter to my school, then I realized they were my biological family. After the visit to my bio-sister in the nearby university, when I saw how she and I were so alike as twin, instantly I knew there’s no question about the adoption. Immediately I made the decision not to ask the ‘why’ question to either side, simply quietly accepted the reality submissively because I did not want to make both side parents felt scare of losing me or felt quilty for giving me away for adoption. Without knowing, underconsciousely since then I start to avoid and not to talk about my feeling deep inside on how I dream for love but do not dare to ask for love from others. Since made the decision of accepting not to ask for love from others, I then realized the importance in life is to love self by holding integrity and enhancing self disciplines strongly. Time passed, the level of stubborness deepened.

(…..to continue……)

The Circle of Life

Here are some basic traditional interpretations for the change of seasons in the Nature which is same as change in life according to the Daoism philosophy:

Spring : before welcoming the warm breeze, we still need to pay attention to the coldest time of the year; the first thunder awakens the Yin energy in the Nature, all lives start to whistle with cheerful melody

Summer: definitely is the time to enjoy the heart bumping meanwhile should  remain calm, to avoid wild fire burning

Autumn: the wind changes from warm to cold, the nature can be uneased, some extreme can still happen, it’s time we need to learn what and how to adapt to the change; certainly on how the heating Yang energy could rise when encountering the cold Yin energy. When facing the change of energy, it’s time to prepare, to repair and to restore before winter comes

Winter: Even though the sky is dark but still there is light behind darkness, so it’s not completely hopeless; even if little grass are forced to bend down by snow, but they will rise their heads higher in the coming spring. Winter is the time to rest with ease and prepare self for the next awakening of life circle.

The change of four seasons means the change in life, two constract energies rotate but are not disappearing when we are able to keep the warmth and hopeful energy from within.

mei lan hsiao
There is time to awaken, time to joy, time to adapt and time to rest; needless for surprise or stress out. The taller and stronger you want to become, then grow your roots deeeper and enhance the strength from within.

What can we learn from tea?

What can we learn from tea?

Tea leaf has limit in size, tea cup has limit in capacity

the learning through tea in life is unlimited

Mei Lan hsiao

What we can learn are more than various types of tea drinking or performing of various tea arts or tea ceremonies.

Tea leaf.has limit in size, tea cup has limit in capacity per cup, but the learning through tea in life is unlimited.

When we are willing to open our minds and taking actions to implement basic morals in life through tea, it’s not difficult to enhance the learning by doing to improve the living quality:

  • learn to respect to the Nature, community and the planet
  • learn to respect and accept the own responsibilities with clear consciousness
  • learn the values of humanity with respect to those hard working nameless people
  • learn what and how to practice of equality without preconceived judgement
  • learn to appreciate from heart to self, learn to show earnest respect to others and to the world
  • learn when and how to lay down egoism, enjoy and appreciate the simplicity and tranquility from the moment
  • learn to put priority right by recognizing own responsibilities to the Nature, people, cultures and the world.

Of course there are more than the list, perhaps you can add on some based on your learning journey with tea. Let the carpet of tea full of kindness, love, respect and harmony.

#lifetimelearning #love #respect #people #kindness #learning #culture #quality #equality #ecobalance #earnest #tranquality #purification

©Mei Lan Hsiao, Belgium Chinese Tea Culture Association, Antwerp, Belgium 13/8/2022

Active Retirement

Am I still interested to find a job even at the age of 67?
Well, the answer definitely is YES

Why not? I am still pretty healthy in body and mind, I still full of positive energy in life and I appreciate every opportunity to share knowledge and experience in life.

However, I do have clear direction in coaching to senior managements who are willing to make a change in work and life.

When I help others, it gives me a chance to help myself; sharing experience and knowledge with others help me to deepen my own learning and reflections.

There is nothing more important than maintaining positive and healthy eneregy in body, mind and emotionally. Continue learning and sharing are the best remedies in the healthy lifestyle. All of these are easy to obtain, free of charge !

From Tea to Know a Person

In the modern world. trust is critical for any kind of relationship, in either personal or professional environments.

Here is a simple tip for you to consider:

One who can not even distinguish whether tea is authentic or flavored, what’s her/his ability to identify truth from false?

One who does not know how to appreciate authentic flavors and tastes from mild and gentleness, how would s/he value honesty in relationship?

One who likes to show her/his ability to tell which tea is ‘the best’ or not without knowing there are plenty ‘good teas’, the best is not judged by own judgement but based on other’s perception and acceptance, how can be a fair leader if s/he has impulsive prejudgement attitude?

One who can’t even demonstrate respectful behaviors in preparing or drinking a cup of tea, what make you think that person knows the essence of ‘respect’? Without respectful mind, how can that person be a good leader?

It’s more than consuming price problem

As a woman, a house wife, I am more sensitive with the daily consumption cost. In the last two years when we tried to put the Covid threat behind, we were hoping for the market recovering, but that hope has been hardly splached by the minitary conflicts that matered by America through NATO.

Now…….

Are we facing problem to cope with daily cost?

It would be too naive to say perhaps not yet, because we really start to feel the threat and pains from our daily home budget.

Are we able to see the light before the tunnel?

What are we facing right now? It’s more than just inflation, as matter of fact, it seems we are heading to potential recession. What and how to prevent or revert the situation?

As a baby booming generation, It’s clear as how did we built prosperity and developments after the WWII. It’s because of peace, collaboration, globalism ! But what we encourage directly or indirectly today? I am terrified whenever I switch on TV or computer to watch the news about conflicts and wars that’s driven by Fascism and extreme weather problems because of our too long ignorance!

I normally like to maintain positive thinking and energy, but frankly speaking, can any one in the world can help me to see some signs to boost my optimism?

What is Dao? What is Consistency?

The first sentence from the #DaoDeJing (道德经)that we normally know is:

道 可道 非常道 (dào  dào fēi cháng dào)

Way, one can be named is an extraordinary way.

(the challenge to translate traditional Chinese scripts to other languages, it’s underable that the meaning often can be narrowed by respective interpretation)

1973 many ancient scripts were discovered in the MaWangDui,an archaeological site located in Changsha from West Han Dynasty (206 BC – 9 AD); a Dao De Jing was among discovered ancient scripts. In the MaWangDui DaoDeJing, the first sentence starts differently:

道 可道, 非恒道 (dào kě dào , fēi héng dào)
Way, one can be named, is not consistent way.

The discovery of MaWangDui DaoDeJing enlightens a new window of learning, not only some differences in the Chinese text, but there are also some texts are even against the text from the normal version that we learned before.

Before struggleing to think what is Dao (the way), perhaps we can explore why not-consistency is hard to understand, to comprehend and to accept.

Even though we named two parts as DaoDeJing (道德经)but according to the knowledge, LaoZi first wrote the DeJing (德经, 德 means Morals)before the DaoJing (道经,道 can also means path in life). To those who are interested to learn DaoDeJing, suggest to start from Chapter 38 (the beginning of DeJing 德经).

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