A family recipe for mindful tea.

This summer at a family reunion with 15 guests in our house--that brought all the laughter and chaos one could imagine--I received a recipe for mindfulness.

The mindfulness I am referring to has been defined by Thich Nhat Hanh as being “truly alive, present and at one with those around you and with what you are doing.”  

I got to experience mindful action by three Indian brothers in their 70’s, 60’s, and 50’s who were visiting us. 

In the still of the early morning, when most guests were asleep, I witnessed a morning ritual that was the epitome of mindfulness. 

On successive mornings, each of the brothers (my father in law and his two younger siblings), would take turns preparing morning bed tea for each other.  The recipe and procedure has been passed down since their childhood.

This was a still and precise event.  Although repeated many times through their lives, it was performed as it was done for the first time.

Step by step, the family algorithm was followed.  Each step was tested with affectionate curiosity and the mind of a beginner.

 At the end of the tea preparation, the three brothers in their pajamas would sit on our deck and ceremoniously drink the tea that each other had lovingly prepared for the group.

The Bahl family bed tea algorithm was shared with me and now I share it with you.

1.       Heat water in electric kettle

2.       Add hot water to tea pot to warm it up.

3.       Pour water in cups to warm them up

4.       Three teaspoons of Darjeeling tea. Loose, premium quality

5.       Two bags of Lipton yellow label tea

6.       Fill pot with boiling water. Approx. 6 cups

7.       Cover with tea cozy (2 minutes)

8.       Heat milk in microwave. 

9.       Quarter teaspoon into the tea

10.   Pour the tea through a strainer (add sugar before, milk afterwards as needed)

11.   Makes approx. five cups.