by Herb_Master » Feb 25th, '09, 22:22
I am not sure that I am the best person to ask the question of. I in part posted the topic to hear what other ideas people would come up with.
The lists of suggestions I quoted seem to crop up on a lot of Chinese and South East Asian sites, and appear to have great similarity and in my opinion little imagination. I am not in any way familiar with the ideas of Zen or other Oriental philosophies, but would somewhat cynically suggest that you would need to subscribe to the philosophy already in order for an approach based on the tenets of the particular philosophy to work for your tea drinking.
The idea of being near a window I would think presupposes that you have a nice view out of the window [whatever nice means to the individual concerned].
I have tried playing Chinese Music when I am drinking tea, sometimes it helps, at other times it distracts and I lose my steeping times.
At other times I find it preferable to have a serious radio channel on (something like BBC World Service) which provides a counterbalance to my Tea Thoughts
Then again my mood is represented by 3 different styles of occasion for tea drinking - at one end a New Tea that I am studying and taking notes when I do not want to be totally relaxed, at the other end I do want to relax when I am stressed out/totally drained either physically or emotionally and just want the tea to be my friend [no questions asked, but staring deeply into it's inner qualities] but more normally the 3rd style which lies somewhere between the 2.
What helps to create the correct ambience for me in any of the 3 different moods may be totally different from the accoutrements that would aid you.
For me what might be nice in a small fairly cramped situation in my 3 moods might be. On the desk/table or near by in view or hearing ->
In Studious Mode.
A nice ornate piece of Chinese Characters or Calligraphy.
A decorative abacus, a gorgeous Metronome, a handsome barometer.
A serious small carving or sculpture
In Relaxation Mode.
A small attractive plant, a third (in addition to the tea) friend or maybe 3rd and 4th#a), a Slide show playing in the background#b)
The range of moods in between a selection from both above categories, possibly some tea fun items i.e. Sculpture that squirts, the full gong fu set and accesories, lighter music, less serious artwork and so on.
In all 3 modes selection of different items of teaware as appropriate on some occasions the tea cup/bowl that highlights the teas qualities, on other occasions a teacup/bowl that is a delight to hold or cradle. Again the appropriate use of background noise, music or natural sounds (babbling brook, birdsong, surf breaking, wind in the willows)
I know that some Chinese tea drinkers use incense burners but I fear the smell would prevent me from appreciating the tea.
Use of flickering coloured lights may also prevent one from appreciating the tea.
However a Prism on the desk, and gem stones (semi precious) and polished rocks that can give a sensual touch as well as looking nice may have a place.
A small bonsai arrangement, a charming piece of driftwood, a jade figure might all help me. A spledid Chinese Chess Set.
Whatever it is make it part of the ritual to set your ambience in preparation for sitting down to the tea. The ritual may involve washing your hands, shedding your clothes to don a Chinese Style Robe, and carefully assembling the pieces that are need for THIS occasion. i.e. bring the pieces that make the whole from their normal place of safety to the small area that you are to consume your tea in.
#a I have often browsing through online sites looked a little scornfully at the small sculptures - but suddenly when looking at a recent posting on the forum of the 3 wise monkeys I saw how it could work. Particularly in the sense that you have an ever present frriend to watch over your tea experiences or share them with you. The Chinese buy them by the thousands so if one can find one that appeals personally it may add to the ambience.
#b) I have an electronic Photo Frame which I load a memory card and play Slideshows of Glorious landscapes and sunsets etc which help me when I am looking deep into the tea and musing. When at the PC I have a Screensaver which plays Slideshow from a selected folder - both Slideshows tire me quickly when I am not doing anything else but when drinking tea I can look at them for minutes on end.
Sorry I could not be of more help.
Can you give the occupant of a small cramped appartment any advice on how to create ambience?
