THE WAY OF TEA

“Chado (the way of tea) is based upon the simple act of boiling water, making tea, offering it to others, and drinking of it ourselves. Served with a respectful heart and received with gratitude, a bowl of tea satisfies both physical and spiritual thirst. The frenzied world and our myriad dilemmas leave our bodies and minds exhausted. It is then that we seek out a place where we can have a moment of peace and tranquility. In the discipline of Chado such a place can be found. The four principles of harmony, respect, purity and tranquility, codified almost four hundred years ago, are timeless guides to the practice of Chado. Incorporating them into daily life helps one to find that unassailable place of tranquility that is within each of us.” – Sen Soshitsu

Heart of Zen offers two tea ceremony options:

1. Traditional Japanese tea ceremony

At a Japanese tea ceremony guests will enjoy a sweet, followed by a bowl of hot, frothy, richly flavored usucha green tea, which is made by whipping hot water and powdered tea (matcha) with a bamboo whisk. It is traditional to take tea from a kneeling position, seats can be used for those who are unable to sit on their knees.

2. Gongfu tea meditation ceremony

A tea meditation includes the contemplative preparation of a wulong whole leaf tea, three cups of tea, followed by silent meditation. Guests are welcome to sit on the floor, on zafu, or chair.

Michelle Racich owned a teashop for seven years, where she regularly offered gongfu tea tastings and private gongfu tea meditations. In addition, she has studied Japanese tea ceremony for the last 14 years under the guidance of Roo Heins Sensei, whose training began in 2005 under Yamada Kazuharu Sensei, founder and head of the Shidou Ryu tea school, which espouses the philosophy that “tea is for everyone.”

To schedule tea for your private event, please contact Michelle @ 231-386-7616.
Ceremony pricing starts @ $250