Mindful College Writing: "Wabi" in Shintoism Tea Ceremony

The Zen disciplines for focus. The Japanese tea ceremony incorporates the Zen element in each movement. The ceremony requires that the preparer of tea move with precision. Each movement is graceful and ritualistic. The feeling one gets while watching the tea ceremony is peace, calmness, and relaxation. The key values of the Japanese tea ceremony are harmony, respect, purity, and stillness. Its intention is to unify two warriors in a moment of peace together. In welcoming the quest, the preparer of tea creates a relaxing and calm atmosphere for the quest by having a clean, organized, and simple home, and by his/her tranquil hand movements in preparing tea. The Wabi is manifested in the Japanese tea ceremony in the simplicity of the tea room, in the slow and graceful hand movements, and in the organic material used for making the tea.

            Shintoism has one command and that is to be loyal to one’s ancestors. Those who worship Shintoism value all elements of nature. They connect with their ancestors through nature. Shintoism encourages people to be sincere, cheerful, and pure, and to live in harmony with the Spirit in all things. The Wabi is manifested in the Shintoism in its content with being connected with nature, having no ownership over the lands, and in its value in having a peaceful life.