Tea: I Love You — And I Know You Love Me Too
Nurturing myself and my friends at my ceremonial tea table
My friend takes a picture at my tea table, the hand with the cup is hers, the woman in pink is me. Photo by Ida Røed.
How I came to tea — or tea came to me
It was one of my spiritual mentors who introduced me to tea ceremonies back in 2017. First, the ceremonies nearly scared me a bit. There was an intimacy about collectively immersing ourselves in smell and taste and sound, that felt a bit… overwhelming to me.
My resistance didn’t last long though, and after a few weeks I found my way to the table. And I realized I LOVED tea ceremonies.
When I think of it, my mentor’s tea passion had that effect on people. I don’t think I know of anyone who worked with her who didn’t pick up her passion for tea.
After a year at my mentors tea table, I decided to invest in my own tea set. It wasn’t an easy decision, because a tea set (at least the way I was introduced to it) fills the size of a small suitcase, and at that point, I was living as a nomad, bringing all my belongings with me in… a suitcase.
Having my own tea set would near double the amount of belongings to carry with me on my travels.
But, after months of scanning Pinterest for every picture of tea ceremony I could come across, I surrendered. I realized life with tea ceremonies was SO much richer than life without it. The blessings was worth the extra suitcase.
I had adopted the way of tea.
Early morning tea at home. The two figures to the left are traditional `tea friends`.
Tea is both my meditation — and my favourite way of being with friends
Part of the reason why I fell in love with tea ceremonies, was because they reminded me of meditation. I’ve devoted many years of my life to a path of silent meditation — and I love spending time in silence with others.
Tea ceremonies provide a beautiful foundament for relaxed informal gathering. They’re the perfect space to enjoy each other’s company in half silence, half conversation. They’re not meditation, but they do remind us of: The power of presence.
Ceremonial tea is such a lovely way of just… being — both on our own and in company. Inviting both presence and relaxation, the tea reminds us of our senses, and the bounties of our earthly pleasures!
Nowadays, I spend time by my tea table both alone — as a way of meditation, self-nurturement and care — and with good friends. The world situation haven’t been in favour of offering public tea ceremonies, but this spring I’ll finally begin sharing them here in Tønsberg.
Guess if I’m looking forward to that!
I never travel without my tea set anymore. Here; Ive set up my tea set in the most beautiful little guest house in the north of Norway, while on tour with one of my performances.
If you’re curious about learning tea ceremonies, there are several beautiful online courses out there. I’ve greatly enjoyed Jade Sahara’s course as a portal to deepen my tea knowledge. Jade also sources high grade tea to use in tea ceremonies. If you search a bit around on Instagram, you’ll find loads of other resources too.
If you’re local to Tønsberg, Tunsberg Tantra will soon begin sharing public tea ceremonies once a month or so. We also offer tea ceremonies on demand for special occasions (festivals, weddings, birthdays etc - or any other event where people will enjoy to gather around a tea table).
At the bottom of this page you’ll find a form to message me for inquiries.
This picture is from last year, it’s early spring and I’m enjoying a solo tea ceremony on the top of our viking mountain in Tønsberg.
