Question 1

What time should I arrive and where should I park?

Accepted Answer

Please arrive 15 mins before the ceremony to allow time for parking and walking to the Shala. Park inside the property, up the driveway,  toward the first house on the right no parking on the side of the road outside of the property.

Question 2

What happens in a Tea Ceremony?

Accepted Answer

A Tea Ceremony is a practice of stillness, connection, and presence. We sit together in silence, sharing bowls of tea in a simple yet profound rhythm. The ceremony follows a natural flow: cleansing space & tea ware, receiving first bowl with presence, passing bowls, final cleansing bowl.

Question 3

How should I prepare for the Tea Ceremony?

Accepted Answer

Wear comfortable clothing to support ease and stillness.
Arrive with an open heart and mind, no prior experience is needed.
Avoid strong perfumes or scented products, as they can interfere with the sensory experience of tea.
Be prepared to sit in silence, this is a meditative practice.

Question 4

Can I step out of the ceremony?

Accepted Answer

While you are welcome to listen to your body and step out if needed, the ceremony is best experienced when you remain present for its full duration.

Question 5

What kind of tea will we be drinking?

Accepted Answer

In our tea ceremony, I serve carefully selected Shou Puerh teas, known for their deep, grounding, and meditative qualities. Each blend is intentionally chosen to support presence, reflection, and inner stillness.

Question 6

Can I drink the tea if I have dietary restrictions or sensitivities?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Our tea is made from pure Camellia Sinensis leaves with no additives, making it suitable for most dietary needs, including gluten-free, vegan, and low-acid diets.
Shou Puerh is known for its gentle, fermented nature, which makes it smoother and less astringent than other teas.

Question 7

Does the tea contain caffeine?

Accepted Answer

Shou Puerh contains a moderate level—less than green or black tea but more than herbal infusions. Many people find it provides a steady, grounding energy without the jitters or crashes often associated with coffee. Naturally low in acidity, making it a good option for those with sensitive digestion.

Question 8

Do I need any prior experience?

Accepted Answer

Not at all. This ceremony is open to everyone, whether you are new to Tea Ceremony or have experienced it before. The only requirement is a willingness to slow down and be present.

Question 9

Why is the ceremony silent?

Accepted Answer

Silence allows for deeper listening—not just to the tea, but to ourselves. In stillness, we attune to the subtle wisdom that is always present but often drowned out by daily distractions.

Question 10

Can I ask questions or talk during the ceremony?

Accepted Answer

We begin and end the gathering with time for gentle conversation, but the ceremony itself is held in silence. Afterward, you are welcome to share your experience or ask any questions.

Question 11

What if I need to leave early?

Accepted Answer

To honor the integrity of the ceremony, please plan to stay for the full duration. If an emergency arises, kindly step out as quietly as possible.

Question 12

What kind of water is used in the tea ceremony?

Accepted Answer

Wild Oasis Spring Water, sourced directly from the earth and untouched by chemical treatment or processing. This pure living water carries the natural vibration and frequency of the earth itself, offering a level of vitality and aliveness that no filtered or processed water can match.

Question 13

What are the qualities of the water?

Accepted Answer

The quality of water is just as important as the tea itself—ensuring a clean, smooth, and energetically vibrant experience. By using mineral-rich, alkalised water, we honor the integrity of the leaves and the ritual of tea as a nourishing, meditative practice.

Question 14

Why do you cleanse the space & teaware?

Accepted Answer

The ceremony begins with a ritual cleansing of the teaware and space, preparing us for the practice.

Question 15

How do I know when to pick up my bowl?

Accepted Answer

Once the first bowls have been served, I place my palms facing up, signaling that it is time to pick up your bowl. Those in the first row begin by passing their bowls back to the person behind them before picking up their own bowl to drink. This gesture creates a rhythm of giving and receiving.

Question 16

How do the bowls come back to the table?

Accepted Answer

When the people in the back row have finished drinking, they place their empty bowls behind the person in the front row. The front row then passes the bowls back to the table, completing the cycle.

Question 17

What does a breath or rhythm to the ceremony mean?

Accepted Answer

There is a natural breath to the ceremony, a rhythm that unfolds in the space between bowls. Noticing and attuning to this rhythm deepens the experience.

Question 18

What happens in the ceremony?

Accepted Answer

Drinking in silence – We sip slowly, allowing the tea to meet us where we are, without need for conversation or distraction. There will be approx 5-7 bowls served. The final bowl – The last bowl of tea marks the closing of the ceremony, bringing us back to the present moment.

Question 19

Do I have to drink all the tea?

Accepted Answer

You can drink as much or as little as feels right for you.

Question 20

What happens with the final bowl?

Accepted Answer

The last bowl is one of water, to cleanse & mark the close of the ceremony and a return to the present moment.

Question 21

What is the purpose of the ceremony?

Accepted Answer

To soften into what is already here & in that softening, we may find moments of clarity, creative inspiration, remembering. We may come to realise that the answers we’ve been seeking are already within us, waiting, like tea leaves resting at the bottom of the bowl, ready to unfurl in their own time.

Question 22

What effect does the ceremony have on my nervous system?

Accepted Answer

In this space of presence, the nervous system shifts from a state of doing into a state of being - heart coherence. The breath lengthens, the body relaxes, and we begin to attune to the rhythm of nature, the same rhythm that moves through the trees, the rivers, and the turning of the seasons.

Question 23

Still have questions?

Accepted Answer

Feel free to reach out before the event. Looking forward to sharing this sacred space with you.

Sunset Tea Ceremony Bluegreen Sanctuary