A Cup of Tea (pg.16)

Take a moment from whatever you are doing, whatever you are thinking, and whatever you are feeling. Consider the following carefully, and try and understand what I am trying to illustrate. And why it is significant.

Imagine you are about to enjoy a cup of tea. Contemplate as you drink your imaginary tea the following. Two different things, from two different places come together and fuse for a short period of time. In this case the water and the tea leaves. They form a liquid that is pleasant to the senses. The tea leaves were able to be infused in water, due to the countless conditions and circumstances that even made the two meeting possible. From the farmers who grew it, the factories that processed it, the transportation that shipped it, the stores that bought it and sold it. The water used to be a cloud. Countless time and countless people. Countless conditions and countless circumstances that made that cup of tea possible. Since the beginning of time (assuming there even is a beginning, let alone an end), it culminates to that point, and continues. In this case, the creation of the cup of tea, and its consumption.





We all have different conditions and circumstances in this world. Some similar and some different. And we all perceive and experience them in similar and different ways. But no matter what. We all experience hope and fear, love and hate, unselfish and selfish.

What is intriguing is that we as people often perceive our emotions and actions as spontaneously occurring. But this view is incorrect. It is incorrect because whether or not people like to admit it. Humans are creatures of bias and habit. Therefore, our emotional algorithms are so ingrained into us. That it is our bias and habits that is driving our experiences most of the time. Not our true observation of our experience. Most people don't even know exactly why they hope, fear, love, hate, what it is they are identifying those emotions with. Our tendencies, or actions, are very much the same. Most people don't even know why they give when they give and take when they take. The latter being the most prominent. 

Before people can truly feel what it is they feel, they are already trying to experience more, or experience less. The reaction to our feelings is what proves to be problematic. By reacting rather than observing, then finally responding. Our own personal biases and habits come into play. Thus, the wisdom and understanding in the positive or negative situation, and the emotion(s) it creates, becomes difficult to perceive. Leaving us with less than optimal resources to properly observe and respond, rather than react. Wanting more and wanting less, and not even knowing why. 





Most people will more than likely associate the idea of observing then responding, rather than reacting. To negative emotions and negative situations/experiences. However, it is just as important to apply observing then responding, rather then reacting to the positive aspects as well. How often do people eat or drink without truly tasting the flavor, and experiencing the obvious and subtle qualities? The first reaction to delicious food or drink is that it is just that. It tastes quite good, it is therefore delicious. This way of enjoying things does not yield the true elegance and beauty that is contained therein.

Imagine responding to life rather than just merely reacting. Imagine appreciating not only food and drink on this level of awareness. But appreciating your friends, your family, and your love in such a way.

Everything passes from one moment to another. Everything is on its way to something else. Observe, then respond.