Tea Here Now
Relax and Rejuvenate With a Tea Lifestyle
By Donna Fellman & Lhasha Tizer

Reviewed by Sylvie Greil

 When Ram Dass published Be Here Now in 1971, it turned a whole generation of spiritual seekers on to the principles of yoga and the teachings of the East. The book is still as widely read today as it was back then (mostly in college dorms, we suspect), and we consider it a must-read for anyone on a quest for meaning. So imagine our delight when we found out that Inner Ocean Publishing released Tea Here Now.

At first glance, we admit, there was disappointment. We share this because we want you to quickly get over the fact that this book is so small and lacks images. Yes, these are major drawbacks, but they are nothing in sight of the wisdom Tea Here Now contains. It almost made us laugh, being reminded that life isn’t always neat and perfect, and that, in this case, tea is the glue that holds the universe together. Tea is a metaphor for everything good in life: peace, balance, equanimity and mindfulness.

These are Buddhist principles, and much like Ram Dass’ yoga bible, this book is fragranced with Eastern philosophy. You’ll read a lot about creating rituals in your daily life, about using tea to live mindfully and consciously in the now, about tea being “our bodhisattva.” You’ll learn about the “agony of the leaves.” You’ll hear about the Vietnamese taking boats out to ponds to place tea leaves into lotus blossoms, and at dawn gathering the lotus-infused tea to brew a fresh cup. The book will remind you to start “being” rather than “doing” and when doing, to practice the Confucian art of “li,” or authentic action. This means acting based on your inner voice rather than what may look good from the outside and to others. And all these beautiful concepts center somehow around the simple act of preparing and enjoying tea. If you like things loud and fast, this isn’t for you. But if you’re seeking a quiet corner in your life, this little book is a charm.