The Meaning of Tea

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A Tea inspired Journey:
Most recently I watched a documentary The Meaning of Tea and read the book by the same name.  What is the meaning of tea, so it made me ask the question why do I drink tea and how does it make me feel?

I have drank tea for a very long time more than 50 years now, and for as long as I can remember. My late mother would say everything tastes better with a nice cuppa tea. Most people I meet think because I'm English I should drink tea. "Just because I'm ENGLISH, and most days I do drink tea, and always at 3pm and most nights just before bed. In the winter months I drink more tea, sometimes as many as 5 or 6 cups. I don't start my day with tea I start with a cup of coffee. then about 10:00am my need for a cup of tea begins... after that first cup of tea reward myself throughout the day depending on my mood and whats going on in my life, sometimes I don't seem to be able to get enough of the amber stuff! It sooths my soul and relaxes my mind maybe its something to do with the L-theanine thats in the tea... a natural relaxant and oftern found in many weight loss drinks.  I like to drink good black teas mostly and with milk and sugar " Assam CTC tea is one of my favourites, its a good strong tea and I like it with with lots of milk. In the summer months I drink less tea. Most recently we introduced iced tea to my collection of teas. I select these teas mainly through smell and those that appeal to my senses before its brewed.  But to be perfectly honest don't like iced teas much, no matter how hard I try just don't have a connection to it! I don't even like ice in my water. Its an American thing ( I think). I could be wrong. Tea always makes ME feel warm inside, so how can I add ice to a warm thing? 

Each day at 3:00pm my automatic tea alarm goes off in my head "TEA TIME'. But WHY?

Maybe my connection to tea is a time to slow down, to be still with GOD for just a moment, be grateful, and then after the tea has been drank that moment is gone forever and I'm ready to face the remainder of the day knowing I've had that brief encounter with God over a cup of tea.

No matter how hard you try,  you cannot accelerate enlightenment. Every religion teaches the need to slow down in order to connect with the self, with others, and with a higher force. in Psalm 46, The Bible says: Be still and know that I am God."- Carl Honore, In praise of Slowness: Challenging the Cult of Speed.

Our journey is an exploration of the calm and purposeful nature of tea life, as recorded in several countries throughout the world. At the heart of this tea journey is the imperative to create a stronger interest in tea in a modern world that is fast losing it connection to the earth. Follow the meaning and journey of  TEA and see how it relates to YOU.