Cha Dao – The Way of Tea

Cha Dao, The Way of Tea, is an ancient meditative ritual that invites us to slow down, soften, and reconnect — with Nature, with presence, and with ourselves.

Tea is the second most consumed beverage in the world after water. In Tea Ceremony, however, tea is not consumed casually. We sit with Tea as plant medicine, honoured and received in a sacred, intentional way.

In ceremony we work exclusively with Camellia sinensis. In Chinese medicine, tea was traditionally used as a Shen tonic — Shen translating as spirit, soul, or heart-mind. When received ceremonially, Tea becomes medicine for the spirit and a gentle tonic for the heart.

The Ceremony Experience

Tea Ceremony is a shared, mostly silent experience. We gather in stillness to receive Tea consciously, allowing space for deep listening, reflection, and embodied awareness. Each ceremony is unique, guided by the Tea itself and the energy of the group.

A typical Tea sitting lasts 1–1.5 hours, with time at the end for quiet reflection or questions.

You will be seated on the floor. Soft mats, cushions, and blocks are provided, and you are very welcome to bring your own meditation cushion or anything that supports your comfort. You are not required to remain completely still throughout the ceremony.

Please wear comfortable, warm clothing suitable for sitting quietly.

Arrival & Timings

Preparation of the space is an important part of the ceremony.

• Please arrive no earlier than 10 minutes before the start time

• Please ensure you arrive on time — latecomers cannot be admitted

• Allow enough time to find the location and settle in calmly

Location – The Tea Temple

The Tea Temple is located in my back garden at:

10 Bakersfield
Mayland
Essex
CM3 6GT

We are the 10th house on the left-hand side of The Drive, set back behind No. 9 Bakersfield.

• Please park on the driveway where there is ample space

• If needed, parking is available on the main road — please be considerate of neighbours

• On arrival, come directly to the garden via the side gate to the right of the house

A Note on Caffeine

The tea used in ceremony is carefully sourced Living Tea — sustainably grown, ethically harvested, and selected for its meditative, energetic, and medicinal qualities. These teas possess strong qi and are cultivated with deep care and respect.

While tea naturally contains caffeine, Living Tea also contains a complex balance of beneficial compounds. Many people who are sensitive to caffeine find ceremonial tea has a very different effect — calming, grounding, and mentally clarifying rather than stimulating.

For thousands of years, tea has been used to support meditation by calming the mind while maintaining gentle alertness.

Practical Notes

• A bathroom is available for use in the house

• Please note we have two small, friendly dogs