Combining Tea with other Interests

Noonie
Posts: 360
Joined: Tue Dec 12, 2017 12:30 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

Sun Feb 17, 2019 1:48 pm

Although I consider enthusiasm for quality tea as more than an interest or hobby, what other personal interests do you combine as part of your tea experience?

I like listening to music while going through a tea session, and as a cyclist I also enjoy watching cycling adventures on YouTube during tea sessions (easier than preparing and drinking tea while cycling ;-).

Of course, tea is easily enjoyed free of anything else...but I mix it up depending on time of day and how I’m feeling.
User avatar
d.manuk
Posts: 655
Joined: Wed Nov 01, 2017 4:13 pm
Location: Dallas

Sun Feb 17, 2019 1:53 pm

Very often I play video games while gong fuing.
swordofmytriumph
Posts: 429
Joined: Sun Dec 16, 2018 5:19 am
Location: Seattle, USA

Sun Feb 17, 2019 4:57 pm

I read while drinking my tea. I primarily read fantasy. And even better is a good book and grandpa styling some green tea in the bathtub. Cause the relaxation from the tea combined with the relaxation from the bath is a fabulous stress reliever. Plus, the steam from the bath really helps with tasting the tea for some reason. Add a book for some escapism and I’m all set.
Noonie
Posts: 360
Joined: Tue Dec 12, 2017 12:30 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

Sun Feb 17, 2019 5:46 pm

swordofmytriumph wrote:
Sun Feb 17, 2019 4:57 pm
I read while drinking my tea. I primarily read fantasy. And even better is a good book and grandpa styling some green tea in the bathtub. Cause the relaxation from the tea combined with the relaxation from the bath is a fabulous stress reliever. Plus, the steam from the bath really helps with tasting the tea for some reason. Add a book for some escapism and I’m all set.
I find that reading a book during a tea session is challenging because I need my hands for tea preparation. I can use a Kindle though, propped against something
User avatar
Baisao
Posts: 1397
Joined: Mon Dec 11, 2017 5:17 pm
Location: ATX

Sun Feb 17, 2019 6:02 pm

My tearoom overlooks a nature preserve so I observe wildlife and the seasons while drinking tea and listening to the hifi. There’s a small creek about 100 feet below, deep in the valley that I can hear flowing. The clouds and light are magnificent. I can’t imagine doing anything better while having tea.
User avatar
Bok
Vendor
Posts: 5782
Joined: Wed Oct 04, 2017 8:55 am
Location: Taiwan

Sun Feb 17, 2019 6:32 pm

swordofmytriumph wrote:
Sun Feb 17, 2019 4:57 pm
Plus, the steam from the bath really helps with tasting the tea for some reason
For this reason:

https://www.kyarazen.com/bad-incense-or-tea-day/
User avatar
Bok
Vendor
Posts: 5782
Joined: Wed Oct 04, 2017 8:55 am
Location: Taiwan

Sun Feb 17, 2019 6:35 pm

Tea, with its inherent connection to pottery and other teaware is fabulously combined with my interest in pretty shapes and old things and their related history.

While drinking tea, I can admire and ponder those things. Other than that, for at least three rounds of one tea I do not focus on anything except the tea, before moving attention to a book or similar.
brutusK
Posts: 25
Joined: Wed Dec 12, 2018 10:14 am
Location: North Carolina, USA

Sun Feb 17, 2019 6:49 pm

Depends on what I'm up to! I try to pair the teas I'm drinking with the hobby or thing I'm doing. If it happens to be writing for work, it'll be something tasty but not anything I have to pay attention to. Frequently though, I find myself playing video games while gongfuing, same as Shine.

If it is a tea I really have to pay attention to, I definitely make sure to have no distractions: just meditation and tea.
User avatar
Rickpatbrown
Posts: 171
Joined: Sat Jun 16, 2018 11:10 pm
Location: State College, PA

Sun Feb 17, 2019 9:04 pm

I have yet to try it, but thought that hiking/backpacking and tea could provide for some spectacular experiences. I love both, but recently haven't gotten out for a good trip in the woods.
Imagine perching on a cliff for a sunset with some fresh spring water boiling on the whisperlite. Seems like a good idea to me.

I am a bit concerned of sensory overload, though. I have definitely tried to have a good session in an impromptu location. Sometimes it comes up a little short since I get distracted by other things. There is something to be said for having tea in a comfortable setting with few distractions. Good music always pairs well with tea.
Noonie
Posts: 360
Joined: Tue Dec 12, 2017 12:30 pm
Location: Ontario, Canada

Mon Feb 18, 2019 5:34 am

Thanks for sharing so far! I agree that sensory overload needs looking out for...when I’m working from home I may step a tea way too long as I’m distracted with an email or something.
Teachronicles
Posts: 436
Joined: Tue Dec 12, 2017 1:13 am
Location: SF Bay Area, CA

Mon Feb 18, 2019 12:24 pm

Baisao wrote:
Sun Feb 17, 2019 6:02 pm
My tearoom overlooks a nature preserve so I observe wildlife and the seasons while drinking tea and listening to the hifi. There’s a small creek about 100 feet below, deep in the valley that I can hear flowing. The clouds and light are magnificent. I can’t imagine doing anything better while having tea.
This sounds wonderful. This weekend I'm at a house more in nature compared to my home in the city, and tea just seems to taste better and be more fragrant. I suspect it has to do with my mental state being more at ease, though I'm using different wAter so that may be a factor as well.
User avatar
Brent D
Posts: 288
Joined: Tue Oct 10, 2017 1:33 pm
Location: Wisconsin

Mon Feb 18, 2019 1:14 pm

Shine Magical wrote:
Sun Feb 17, 2019 1:53 pm
Very often I play video games while gong fuing.
I play banjo. I find tea doesn't effect my playing like the moonshine does :lol:

Shine, I also game. What type of games do you play?
cherrybomb7
Posts: 10
Joined: Thu Jan 31, 2019 6:44 pm

Mon Feb 18, 2019 5:05 pm

Baisao wrote:
Sun Feb 17, 2019 6:02 pm
My tearoom overlooks a nature preserve so I observe wildlife and the seasons while drinking tea and listening to the hifi. There’s a small creek about 100 feet below, deep in the valley that I can hear flowing. The clouds and light are magnificent. I can’t imagine doing anything better while having tea.
Are you kidding?! :mrgreen: This sounds amazing. The most ideal way to drink tea, definitely. Only thing slightly better is having a gathering of good friends there, interested in tea.
User avatar
Baisao
Posts: 1397
Joined: Mon Dec 11, 2017 5:17 pm
Location: ATX

Mon Feb 18, 2019 7:34 pm

Teachronicles wrote:
Mon Feb 18, 2019 12:24 pm
Baisao wrote:
Sun Feb 17, 2019 6:02 pm
My tearoom overlooks a nature preserve so I observe wildlife and the seasons while drinking tea and listening to the hifi. There’s a small creek about 100 feet below, deep in the valley that I can hear flowing. The clouds and light are magnificent. I can’t imagine doing anything better while having tea.
This sounds wonderful. This weekend I'm at a house more in nature compared to my home in the city, and tea just seems to taste better and be more fragrant. I suspect it has to do with my mental state being more at ease, though I'm using different wAter so that may be a factor as well.
I definitely think it makes a difference. My mind becomes more still and I can more easily focus on tea amd music. My tearoom is cluttered but the view is nice.

Photos don’t do it justice. The valley below seems compressed or even nonexistent in photos. I can watch storms, migrations or birds or butterflies, watch the last bit of sunlight each sunny day cut across the treetops, or watch fog climb up the valley. I am sure there are better views in town but this is almost ideal for me.
3B4CFB50-C497-4FD4-8CFE-EAE43A9FBF6A.jpeg
3B4CFB50-C497-4FD4-8CFE-EAE43A9FBF6A.jpeg (249.01 KiB) Viewed 6466 times
A0257DF4-EE3D-4682-AA37-FCE7A8D522D9.jpeg
A0257DF4-EE3D-4682-AA37-FCE7A8D522D9.jpeg (144.48 KiB) Viewed 6466 times
User avatar
Baisao
Posts: 1397
Joined: Mon Dec 11, 2017 5:17 pm
Location: ATX

Mon Feb 18, 2019 7:37 pm

cherrybomb7 wrote:
Mon Feb 18, 2019 5:05 pm
Are you kidding?! :mrgreen: This sounds amazing. The most ideal way to drink tea, definitely. Only thing slightly better is having a gathering of good friends there, interested in tea.
I agree! I only wish the outside temperature was more frequently comfortable so I could host gatherings outside.
Post Reply