I wanted to share a crazy idea I had with you.
In a recent article entitled: When the Light of an Era goes Out (1) – An article by Llewellyn Vaughan–Lee, Llewellyn writes the following words:
The Prophet said “Even if you know the world will end tomorrow, plant a tree.”—that is an affirmation of life. We participate in life because we are actually present in life as it is, rather than in an illusion. We need a certain number of people in the world who are present in life as it is, to hold a certain axis of awareness and love in the world, to keep watch on the world and for the world.
Reading this brought back to my mind an old idea about having a cup of tea with some readers in the spirit of friendship, but then the following counsel given in Part Two of the article made me shelf my crazy idea until today: “It’s not a good time to start an ambitious project unless you are Noah.”
Whenever someone enters the Sufi house they are given a cup of tea and some cookies as a sign of welcome and hospitality. No inquiries into personal affairs are made. No one is asked if they are Christian or Muslim. I think that that act is in many ways a positive affirmation of not only life but also of our inherent connection as being created beings on the earth. If we are entering into an Age of Oneness what better way than over a cup of tea with someone.
I have had the benefit of getting to know a few readers. They are scattered all over the world and unfortunately I cannot fly everywhere to share a cup of tea. I thought then, what if we would pick one day out of the week, and treat someone to a cup of coffee/tea/hot chocolate and just talk with them person to person. You could take a picture and we can create an album on Flikr perhaps called the Tea Party or whatever catchy name you all would like.
This is something I plan on doing probably starting this summer. It be nice to get some feedback from you all and try it out!
Whaddya say?
Dave-O
THAT, my friend, is a capital idea.
I had no idea of this Sufi tradition, though I was aware of the tradition of hospitality; that being said, I’m keen on providing tea to those who enter my home from now on.
Thats beautiful ! Thanks
recently I read ‘The Story of tea’:)
In ancient times, tea was unknown beyond China. Rumors of its existence had reached other lands, and those who heard of it tried to find out what it was in accordance with their desires or imagination.
The king of Inja sent an envoy to China, who returned with a gift of tea from the Emperor. But the envoy had seen peasants drink tea, and decided that it was unfit for his royal master; he suspected that the Emperor was trying to deceive them by substituting some lesser substance for the celestial drink.
A philosopher of Anja gathered what information he could find, and determined that tea must be rare, unique and mysterious, for it was known as an herb, a beverage, green, black, at times bitter, at other times sweet. In Koshish and Bebinem, people tested every herb and liquid they could find. Many were poisoned; all were disappointed. The tea plant had never been brought to their lands, so no one could find it. Still they continued the search.
The people of Mazhab knew of tea — a small bag of it was carried in their religious processions as a talisman. But no one thought or knew how to taste it. When a wise man told them to pour boiling water over it, he was hanged as an enemy of their religion, for who else but an enemy would suggest destroying their magic? Before he died, he told his secret to a few, who then managed to get some tea and drink it secretly. When someone noticed and asked what they were doing, they answered that it was a simple medicine.
It was this way throughout the world. Some had seen the bush, but did not recognize it; others had tasted tea, but thought it common, certainly not a drink of legend. Still others possessed and worshipped it. Beyond China only a few drank it, and only in secrecy.
A man of understanding spoke to the tea merchants and tea drinkers. “The one who tastes, knows. The one who tastes not, knows not. Don’t speak of a heavenly beverage; offer it at your banquets and say nothing. Those who like it will ask for more; those who don’t aren’t fit to drink it. Close the shop of debate and mystery. Open the teahouse of experience.”
Tea was soon carried on every caravan on the Silk Road. Pausing to rest, merchants made tea and offered it to their guests and companions, whether they knew the legends or not. This was how chaikhanas came to be established from Peking to Bukhara and Samarkand. And those who tasted, knew.
At first only the powerful and those who pretended to possess wisdom sought the ambrosia, then protested, “But this is only dried leaves!” or “Why do you boil water when all I want is the celestial drink?” or yet again, “Prove to me what this is. It looks like mud, not gold!” When the truth was widespread, and when tea was given to all who would taste, only fools asked such questions.
And it is still that way.
Reading your response add some shineshine to a gloomy day here. Hope you are well my friend. Ya Haqq
if you follow astrology…the entrance of Neptune into Pisces today. A gloomy day indeed!
a friend wrote today: ‘There’s a weird wave passing over the world.
A sense of outrage together with a feeling of guilt and mercy.
An urge to move forward and accomplish
whatever dreams you have been dreaming
coupled with the feeling of just too tired or bored.
It’s action and contemplation.Two very different forces operate. So sometimes it’s hard to get motivated to get out there and hustle and change your life’
Hey Mirel,
yeah I have felt this as well. I feel I have to opposite affliction that I work myself into the ground and have to tone down the ambition .
I am home sick today had a mino sickle cell crisis and its been a real blessing even the pain
. I doubt some clouds and rain could get me down. 
Always thanks for your words and insight. I appreciate them and I am sure the readers do too
Dave
nilufer my first name, it’s actually of persian origin. mirel is my family name:)
I cherish both of them. use it as you wish!
take good care of yourself, get well soon, dear friend!
Id be honoured to share some tea with you and some sour cherry baklava,
Ihsallah in the very near future.
Lu Tong’s Seven Bowls of Tea 七碗诗 卢仝（唐. 790~835）
‘The first cup moistens my lips and throat. The second cup breaks my loneliness. The third cup searches my barren entrail but to find therein some thousand volumes of odd ideographs. The fourth cup raises a slight perspiration – all the wrongs of life pass out through my pores. At the fifth cup I am purified. The sixth cup calls me to the realms of the immortals. The seventh cup – ah, but I could take no more! I only feel the breath of the cool wind that raises in my sleeves. Where is Elysium? Let me ride on this sweet breeze and waft away thither.’ ~Lu Tung, “Tea-Drinking”
there’s a saying…
“Conversations without tea are like a night sky without the moon.”!
Blessings,
nilufer
Dear Friend,
How would you like to be addressed? I thought your name was Mirel all this time.
I will keep in mind the tradition of tea and cookie (or as the Brits say, biscuits). That is lovely hospitality.
Maire,
I will keep a special tea and cookie aside for you if you are ever in NYC or if I am ever in TX.
Would love to join in with you all
Thank You so very much. I am choosing locations here in the city. I would be honored if you could join in. Are you located in NYC?