‘Be happy, happy, happy;
And seize the day of pleasure.’
-Robert Frost
Can you think of a time when you’ve actually seized the day and lived in the present?
We’re always so immersed in either dwelling on the past or fantasizing about the future that we almost forget to live in the present, to seize the moment.
Ever heard of the Japanese Tea Ceremony (茶の湯)? Chanoyu is a ritualized, secular practice in which tea is consumed in a specialized space with codified procedures. The setting screams tranquility and is an oasis of serenity. The Tatami (traditional straw mat) rooms dedicated for the tea ceremony are surrounded by charming gardens and the beautiful elements of nature.
Every object used in the ritual is ritually cleansed, including the tea scoop, the whisk and the tea bowl. Bows are exchanged and then the first guest is given a bowl of tea. They take a sip, compliment the host on the tea, bow and then wipe the rim and pass it along to the second guest. The procedure is repeated until everyone has taken tea from the same bowl.
The guiding principles of Chanoyu as expressed by Sen Rikyu are:
Harmony (Wa): Harmony between guests, hosts, nature, and setting.
Respect (Kei): Sincerity toward another, regardless of rank or status.
Purity (Sei): To spiritually cleanse oneself — to be of pure heart and mind.
Tranquility (Jaku): Inner peace that results from obtaining the first three principles; this inner peace allows one to truly share.
Last but not the least, it teaches us the art of mindfulness and to live for today.
From bullet trains to ultrafast 4G network to space shuttles to development, there is speed and competition everywhere. To take a chill pill is the need of the hour. Apply the brakes, park the car, lay back and take a deep breathe. Understand your surroundings, make new relations, do what you love, do what makes you happy, be appreciative of nature and show gratitude.
To live the moment is truly a gift, maybe that is why it’s called the present.
- GAYATRI 😊
