Even in the midst of a busy life, the Way of Tea offers us a chance to pause and notice the richness that’s already here. Through small gestures, quiet attention, and gratitude, we can find abundance not in having more, but in fully inhabiting what we already possess. This week, we invite you to explore these themes through practice and reflection.
This Week In Practice
There’s a story about Sen no Rikyū, the 16th-century tea master who shaped the Way of Tea. He once visited a student’s home, where a flawless, elegant bowl had been laid out to impress him. But Rikyū’s attention went instead to a humble, worn vessel tucked in the corner — a bowl that had seen countless gatherings and bore the marks of use. He praised the simple, imperfect bowl, showing that the richness of tea comes not from perfection or novelty, but from care, presence, and appreciation.
This week, try simplifying your own tea practice. Instead of reaching for your newest or “best” teaware, return to the pieces you often pass over. Let your attention settle on the small details: the texture of the clay, the subtle color variations in the bowl, the quiet anticipation before water meets leaves. As you pour and steep, notice the sound of water hitting the bowl, the curling aroma of the leaves, the shifting light across the surface.
Pause between movements. Take a slow breath. Name a few things you’re grateful for — the bowl itself, the tea leaves, this moment of stillness. Consider how each step, each gesture, contributes to a sense of care and presence. By slowing down and appreciating what’s already here, your practice becomes a harvest of abundance, drawing richness from simplicity rather than accumulation.
Five Element Insights
Earth season invites us to notice the quiet sources of nourishment in our lives. It’s a time to slow down, appreciate the ordinary, and recognize abundance that isn’t flashy or new — the things that sustain us day to day, like routines, relationships, and the rhythms of nature. The Earth element reminds us that true abundance often exists in subtle, steady ways: the soil under our feet, a shared meal, a moment of rest.
This week, take a few moments to reflect:
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What ordinary, small things in my life bring me unexpected joy or comfort? Consider daily rituals, objects, or interactions that quietly support you.
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Where am I noticing enough, rather than wanting more? Look for areas in your life where sufficiency exists, even if it feels easy to overlook.
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How can I bring a sense of gratitude to something I usually take for granted today? Small acknowledgments — a kind word, a mindful breath, tending to a plant — can reveal hidden richness.
Spend a few moments journaling or simply sitting with these questions. Let your attention expand to the subtle sources of abundance already present. Notice how awareness of sufficiency can shift your perspective, grounding you and opening space for deeper presence in all areas of life.
What We’re Drinking
Mycelial Lattice — 7581 Shou Puerh, 1990s
From Colin’s Vault and featured in this Autumn’s Seasonal Tea Club, Forest Lamp is dark, deep, and complex, with wet-fermented flavors of pumpkin, squash, and mushrooms. Patient and grounding, it carries the yin energy of early Autumn, slowing you down and drawing you into the body. Its mushroom and mycelial notes invite reflection on our connection to the forest.
Current Creative Inspiration
Hold Nothing — Elena Brower
Elena’s forthcoming book is an invitation to return to yourself through stillness, presence, and gentle self-inquiry. With thoughtful practices, prompts, and full-color artwork, it guides reflection, self-discovery, and the integration of awareness into daily life.
At our November retreat with Elena, we’ll bring these themes into living practice.
Friends of Living Tea
ChoZen Retreat Center
Founded by Tony Cho and set across from the 22,000-acre St. Sebastian River Preserve — one of North America’s most biodiverse lagoon systems — ChoZen offers an immersive, regenerative environment for learning, connection, and ecological stewardship. Home to thousands of species, including dolphins, manatees, and endangered Florida Panthers, it’s a place where the natural world and our inner landscapes meet.
Last winter, we hosted a Winter Solstice retreat here, and this November 9–13 we’ll return for Hold Nothing, a retreat focused on deep self-inquiry and presence amidst the beauty of this sanctuary.