Full Moon Women Tea Gathering

On Tuesday, 22 March 2016, 8pm, we will have our first Full Moon Women Tea Gathering. Not only it's the full moon, which signifies completion and is an ideal time for letting go of things that you no longer need. It is also going to be a Full Lunar Eclipse too, in the sign of Libra. A Powerful Combination, the one that brings with it the potential for great illumination.

On such night there is a strong connection with night sky and the ability to prophecy. This Lunar eclipse brings an aura of peace and tranquility, and carries a very potent balancing energy.

At every full moon, the whole world is illuminated by the essence of the Great Feminine. This is an great time to come together as sisters in authentic heart, to celebrate our gratitude and abundance, and to share the blessings of the sacred herbs and flowers of the Earth.

So let us share a taste of enchanted tea in ceremony, come open your heart, and let the Moon inspire you... We will be boiling water in a clay kettle on live fire, having all five elements in place. We will chant mantras. We will set intentions, and then we will let them go into the universe, relaxing into knowing that it is all we need to do. Set the intention and soften into non action, knowing it will be done.

We will be brewing Puerh Tea. Firstly, large leaves from ancient puerh trees right in the teapot on fire. And then a 2002 Puerh Tea from 1,200 year old trees. It will create a powerful connection to the sky, to the nature, to the earth, and most importantly to ourselves, and into the flow of life.

Please note, that because this is a private residence places are limited.

It is donation based, minimum suggested donation £20, and there is an RSVP/wait list in place, so you are encouraged to receive your space by making a suggested contribution. The seating is done on the floor and we have plenty of cushions. Comfortable clothing is recommended. After tea we will share some healthy snacks. And you will take a Tea bag with tea samples and gifts with you home!

I am looking forward to sharing a bowl of tea with you all!

If you would like to join please send me an e-mail on withtlovers@gmail.com

This is my usual morning companion - Kabusecha green tea. When I drink it, my morning are filled with love, gratitude, inspiration and thirst for Life. And this morning I am also reading a book. An amazing book called "From Onions to Pearls". Which acts in exactly the same way as a Kabusecha tea, only in the shape of a book! In other words it fills you with LOVE, Gratitude, Inspiration and Enthusiasm for LIFE.

It is written by a guy, who, at the age of 54, was put into prison for ecstasy production. And that's where he got awakened. All his life he was a spiritual seeker, following all spiritual practices, and trying out numerous things. He was also leading a luxurious lifestyle with private jets and several houses. And then at 54 he got into a high security prison with 32 inmates in one room, an open toilet, no air conditioning and everyone going completely crazy. He stayed there for 2 years, not knowing if he will ever get out. And that's where his sense of identity crumbled with the awakening taking place.

His teachings are the ones of Advaita Vedanta, of non duality. Every time I read his book it feels like I am at the Satsang, and each time something deep shifts in me. The way I see the world, life, other people and situations. Karma, God, Consciousness, Free Will - I suspected before that all of them are not what they seem, and this book confirmed it!

"Consciousness is All there is. You are not the doer. You don't have to win awakening by your own efforts. JUST BE and know WHO you really are. Then kick back and enjoy the parade as it passes by!"

Meditation retreat at Lake Baikal

Recently, I went to Siberia's Lake Baikal for a meditation retreat, and it was such a journey! Insights, realisations and coming back to the body, body, body.... I realised there that the more we are in the body, the more aware we are, the more alive we are, the more we can see the beauty around us. There is no life except from life in our body. When we are in the body, we feel the beauty with our whole being, every cell of our existence. Being present IS to be in the body! So even though I already was more or less embodied  quite a lot of the time, this journey made me realise the importance even more. But here I wanted to share my magical journey with YOU with photos, commentaries and insights...

On the way to lake Baikal my plane arrived at 4am and my baggage was lost, as I found out. Baggage with warm clothes, boots and all other necessities for living for 1 week in a tent on the shore of this magical lake... I got worried, anxious, angry. But then I put my ear plugs in, inflated my neck cushion and lied down on the metal chairs in the airport. I started feeling my anxiety and my worry in my body, living through it's intensity and discomfort. I was lying there until this intensity dissolved and I started feeling waves of energy and subtle vibrations all over my body.

Suddenly the anxiety and worry was gone. And I felt like laughing. I realised how comical this situation is. And how grateful I am for at least takings socks out from the suitcase in moscow, so I was wearing warm socks and havayanas, ear plugs from noise and a neck cushion, and I felt warm, cosy and comfortable!!!! By luggage arrived with the next plane 7 hours later! How great is that? ))

The top photo is Lake Baikal on Island Ol'chon at 5am each morning. I liveed in a tent and woke up at 4.30, to have my glass of hot water, do some yoga and mediate. And it's amazing to meditate in the open air with this view. We live in a naked part of Baikal, it's called Steppe in Russian and there is lots of space, wind and peacefulness. I was not very happy at first as I am a tree person and I love forests, this naked land was a little bit shocking to me. But then I got used to it and came to see it's tremendous beauty and strength. No wonder it is an island of shamans and warriors, they gain their power from this land and the lake. So I fell in LOVE with it.

This little HEART SHAPED lake on the island Ol'chon is called Nuru Nur and they say it's even older than Baikal. Legends say that Chingiz Khan used to dip in it to get blessed before his voyages, and I simply hope that through swimming in it my heart opened a bit more. There is a possibility as the teacher monk from Thailand was concentrating on the heart a lot. Fingers crossed.

Here I am in that Heart Shaped lake. The water was not that cold actually, even warmer than in Baikal itself. The was a lot of algae at the bottom, which lovingly coated my feet. The legend also says, that whoever swims in this little lake will meet their second half moon after. :) When I came out I had the strongest and most powerful meditation on its bank. Something definitely shifted in my perception, and the whole body was vibrating with joy.

Our retreat was not as strict as usual vipassana retreats are. Majority of participants woke up just before breakfast and morning meditation (which is understandable as it was freezing before sunrise!). But there were a few who woke up almost every morning at 4 or 5 am and did some exercises, meditation and swam in the cold waters of Baikal. Lesha was one of them. I called him my morning routine partner even though we went about our own things in silence. But it was always nice to get up, go to the kitchen to have some hot water and find him meditating like this on most mornings. It made me smile and warmed my heart.

Vipassana meditation retreat is usually associated with silence and slow, mindful movements and actions. But at our retreat in Lake Baikal this summer we didn't really follow these guidelines. Moreover, on the last day we did an amazing dancing session. It was mindful, by the way Right on the shore of Baikal on it sacred land. Katia created a magical playlist, which, together with the energy of the land and lake, created a perfect energy.

Personally, I don't go dancing often. And for me to dance it has to be the right music, the right people, the right vibe. But there I just could not stop. My body was doing all the movements, I was just watching it, sometimes even shocked by its crazy moves, sometimes surprised by their mellowness. Goosebumps invaded my body and were rushing from top to bottom and back. It almost felt like the earth, and music, and people all supported me in this dance. And I gave my all 100% to it.

There are dances like this in London, conscious dance sessions without alcohol, drugs and in the evenings. And I feel something got awakened in me on that day, on that shore. My body showed me how important it is for it to dance.

And of course, meditation retreat without green tea is not a retreat!!! I didn't take all my teapots and tea utensils with me to the meditation retreat in lake Baikal in Siberia, where I was spending 10 days with the amazing company of people and amazing nature. But every morning after morning meditation I sat down and took a lot of cups with hot water, poured it from one cup to another, brewed the tea with me counting the seconds instead of the timer and sending love to the tea and to the person who I was preparing it for. The tea tasteed amazingly well with the local water and the energy of it is intensified in this magical place. Which we needed to stay awake and meditate every single moment of the day. I loveed this place here. Every day I felt I was recharged more and more with the energy of this land and water. Back to the body. Back to my true self.

Paradjanov and Tea

I went to Paradjanov event on Saturday, organised by Georgian British Chamber of Commerce, and I got these two cards from there. Today, looking at them, and at Sergei Paradjanov, I really felt like drinking Sheng puer tea from 2001. Because it makes me feel the same. Happy. Creative. Childlike. Innocent. Mad. Open hearted. Which I am sure Paradjanov was all of that. And when I look at these cards and drink sheng puer tea, I really feel like going outside into the streets of London and jump all my way in my neighbourhood or some area full of people, and scream with joy. I haven't done that today, but I am sure, in my next puer and photo sessions I will do that and I will report this here! :)))

We have Universe inside us, so don't limit yourselfВ нас целая вселенная, так зачем же мы ограничиваем себя?

I am not Buddhist or TaoistNot a Confucian either I'm a brown-faced white-haired old man. People think I just prowl the streets selling tea, but I've got the whole universe in this tea caddy of mine.

- Baisao

It's amazing how we like to define ourselves - I am a buddhist, or a Christian. Or I am Russian, English, or Indian. But the truth is, we are all so much more than these definitions, we are truly all one. Brothers and Sisters. We have the whole universe inside of us, the whole universe, and we try to limit ourselves to religions, nationalities, countries.. We are love. And this love is everywhere - even in a simple cup of tea.

(poem is taken from Global Tea Hut magazine and picture is from here)Я не Буддист и не Даосист И даже не Конфуцианист, Я старый человек с коричневым лицом и седыми волосами. Люди думают, что я брожу по улицам и продаю чай, но в моей чайнице находится целая вселенная

- Байсао (мой вольный перевод с английского)

Удивительно, как мы любим определять себя - я Буддист, или Христианин. Или я Русский, Англичанин или Индус. Но правда в том, что мы намного больше чем эти определения, мы все едины на самом деле. Братья и Сестры. В нас целая вселенная, целая вселенная!!! А мы ограничиваем себя религиями, национальностями, странами, да и много ещё чем. А на самом деле, мы- любовь. И любовь везде - даже в простой чашке чая.

(я взяла поему из журнала Global Tea Hut, а картинку отсюда - кстати, это чайные пакетики в форме сердца, делают их в Австралии, очень красивые :))

Puerh travelling thousand miles to be with meПуэр, который упорно путешествовал ко мне

A few months ago I ordered some tea from a russian girl called Anastasia. I often read her tea blog in russian, and she is amazing. Sometimes I really think she got enlightened through tea. The way she writes about it, almost every day, her daily tea mediations with tea, at home, in a forest, with her little daughter - amaze me. Her contemplations, her stories, her feelings about tea. They capture my imagination, and I get into a meditative state just by reading her posts. The way she writes about tea made me feel that I can trust her. She drinks so much tea, and has her own criteria to what is good and what is not. Her criteria is her heart. So simple yet so powerful. So I ordered tea from her. And finally I got it. I ordered two kinds of Puerh. One of them was Xiaguan mini tuocha 2005 Sheng puerh. It made a long way to be with me - and after a 2 month travel it is here! From China to Tula in Russia, then to St Petersburg, then Lithuania, and finally London. What can I say about this tea? A piece of sunshine in a cup. Sunshine that flows from the cup into you and warms you up inside. Even holding a little tuocha in my hands gave me the amazing feeling of warmth and presence and peace. When I brewed it for the first time, it was really cold, miserable and rainy outside. But this tea changed everything. Inside my room the sun was shining. I Love this tea. And I got this beautiful teapet-toad for a present too. Amazing!Примерно два месяца назад я заказала пару чаев у anastazia2008. Я постоянно читаю её чайный блог, и считаю, что она прекрасна. Иногда мне даже кажется, что она просветлела через чай. То, как Настя пишет про чай, почти каждый день, про свои чайные медитации - дома, в лесу, с маленькой дочкой - очень меня вдохновляет. Её размышления, истории, чувства.. Они волнуют моё воображение, и я практически вхожу в медитативное состояние просто читая её посты. То, как Анастасия пишет о чае, вызвало у меня большое доверие к ней, к её чаю, к её посуде. Потому что Настя следует своему, очень интересному критерию при выборе чая. И этот критерий - это её сердце. Так просто, но в то же время так мощно. И мне захотелось попробовать её чай, захотелось войти в такое же состояние, в которое входит она через свой чай и увидеть мир так, как видит его она.

И вот я заказала чай. Заказала Морозный (понятия не имею какое у него китайское название) и мини-туочи шен пуэра Сягуаня 2005ого года. Они очень долго ехали ко мне. Русская почта отказалась отсылать их в Лондон - предъявите санитарную справку! - сказали они, отказавшись даже разговаривать дальше, если сей документ не будет предъявлен. Но у меня в Питере живет волшебная подруга Лена, которая меня уже ни один раз спасала в таких ситуациях. И чай отправился к ней, а через 1.5 месяца с её мамой на поезде поехал в Литву. Ну а уж из Литвы моя мама отправила его маршруткой в Лондон. А там он недели две лежал у моей подруги, которая болела, или была занята, и никак не могла привезти его мне. Но в результате он пришел!

Я тут же раскрыла пакет, достала мини-туочу, и заварила её. И что я могу сказать об этом чае? Это кусочек солнца в вашей чашке. Солнечного света, который плавно перетекает из чашки внутрь вас и согревает изнутри. Даже просто держа маленькую мини-туочу в своих руках я почувствовала тепло, покой и и возвращение в настоящий момент. Когда я заварила его первый раз, на улице было серо, холодно, мокро. Но этот чай изменил мое восприятие. На улице - серо и холодно, но в моей комнате светло, тепло и солнечно. Я влюбилась в этот чай с первого чайничка.

А в подарок я получила еще и эту глиняную жабу… Она прекрасна! Спасибо, Настя! :)

Kama Tea Hub - Tea and LoveKama Tea Hub - чай и волшебство

kama tea hub from watchyourlife on Vimeo.

Beautiful video of Kama Tea Hub in Riga… Amazing magical place that everyone should go to if they are in Riga. And this video conveys the atmosphere of the space perfectly… Magic… Depth…. You… Life….Tea… What else one needs? The moment is perfect when there is tea in it. Especially if drunk in such a place like Kama.

Волшебное видео про чайный домик Кама в Риге, который невероятно передаёт атмосферу этого места. И если вы вдруг каким-то образом окажетесь в Риге, вам обязательно нужно будет посетить это чайное пространство… Даже невозможно передать словами, какое оно замечательное. Я уже о нём писала здесь.

Глубина… Волшебство…. Ты…. Жизнь…. Любовь… Чай…..

Удивительно, насколько в Риге много волшебных мест.. И волшебных людей, которые создают это самое волшебство. И всё какое-то удивительное - от самих чайных до того, как они проявляют свою творческую фантазию на тему, как рассказать людям о том, что они делают. Ну очень творчески. И глубоко. И интересно.

Tea and contact juggling - will Zap drop the balls?Чай и контактное жонглирование - уронит ли Зап шары??

This is my favourite girl Zap, who is an amazing contact juggler, dancer, sex and freedom educator, and a very free creature. We met through a blog, and I am constantly amazed by her growth, development and creativity. This year she and her boyfriend started their video project called Love Heros - a series of short videos exploring their relationship, love, fears and freedom.  I love reading her posts about their explorations (they are in Russian usually), sometimes crazy, but always unexpected and one of a kind.

In this video she drinks tea and juggles several contact balls simultaneously. None of them drops.

Это моя любимая Зап, которая не только прекрасный жонглёр, танцовщица и тренер по сексуальной свободе, но и сама по себе свободная птица. Мы познакомились через блог, и я не перестаю удивляться её росту, прогрессу и творчеству. В этом году она и её муж начали свой видео-проект под названием Love Heros - серии короткометражных фильмов об их отношениях, любви, страхах и свободе. Я обожаю читать её записи об их экспериментах, иногда сумасшедшие, но всегда неожиданные и одни в своем роде.

В этом видео она пьет чай и жонглирует несколькими шарами одновременно. И ни один из них не падает.

Puerh Tea Buds, or Ya BaoБелые почки Пуэра, или Я Бао

 

Recently we were drinking this amazing tea from Yunnan province in China, so I made some photos in the process. By the way, there are lots of debates which category this tea is part of. Or is it related to the tea family at all?? Some even consider it to be a parasite on tea trees! Even Chinese are not sure about it, and while the debates are on, this tea is sold as Puerh.

Literal translation of Ya Bao is "Bud Treasure". Buds are picked from the ancient trees in Winter or early Spring, and are dried solely on the sun. So in this way Ya Bao is more similar to white tea. However, it's then aged, which transfers it into Puerh category. That's why the say that Ya Bao contains the sweetness of white tea, the spice of Yunnan earth, and the potential of aging of Puerh....

Look at them  - they are extremely soft, tender and a tiny bit resilient. Strong little creatures. It's such a great feeling to hold them in your palm...

 

This tea offers AMAZING health benefits! It has an anti-aging effect on the whole body, helps to remove toxins, improves digestion and is great for weight-loss.

And all of this in combination with the beautiful subtle flowery honey aroma with the hint of dried fruit and vanilla spices in between. And then you get to feel the aftertaste on your tongue... and one more... and one more....

When brewed it has a colour of expensive Champagne! And honestly, I don't drink alcohol, but if you put a bottle of nice expensive Champagne, I will not be able to resist. And I will drink. And quite possibly in big quantities. That's how big iz my love for Champagne!

But if I am to compare Ya Bao tea to Champagne - I think it has the same attraction to me! And its infusion even has the same colour - only the bubbles are missing :))) But you shouldn't concentrate your attention on that - trust me. From drinking Ya Bao you will feel the same sensations and emotions as you would from drinking Champagne. You can try. :)

This tea is my favourite at the moment! Such a pity that my supplies are finished!

Недавно мы пили этот прекрасный китайский чай из провинции Юннань, и я сделала несколько фотографий в процессе. На самом деле вокруг чайных почек происходит много дебатов, дискуссий - к какой категории чаёв они относится? И чай ли это вообще?? Некоторые даже выдвигают теорию, что это на самом деле паразит, который живет на чайных деревьях... Но пока идут горячие споры по поводу категории этого чая, его тихо продают как Пуэр, или чайные почки Пуэра.

Я Бао в прямом переводе с китайского означает Сокровище Почки. Урожай собирают с древних дикорастущих деревьев вида Камелии в провинции Юннань, обычно зимой или ранней весной. Их сушат исключительно на солнце - что очень близко к белым чаям. Но потом их немного выдерживают возрастом, или "старят", что приближает их Пуэрам. Поэтому говорят, что Я Бао содержит сладость белого чая, перчинку Юннаня, и потенциал выдержанности Пуэра...

Вот они, эти прекрасные пушистые существа - они очень мягкие, нежные и упругие. И чем-то напоминают котиков с вербы, только не такие пушистые. :)

 

Чайные почки Пуера обладают массой полезных свойств - они понижают давление, замедляют процесс старения, улучшают пищеварение, способствуют выводу токсинов, и в связи с этим похудению!

Но мне этот чай нравится за его необыкновенный вкус, который представляет собой совершенно безумную комбинацию сладости ванили, сухофруктов, мёда, и еле уловимую горчинку. Это как раз та горчинка/перчинка Юннаньской земли, которая придает этому чаю неповторимый вкус, и аромат, который не спутаешь ни с чем, и который остается на языке сумасшедшим послевкусием долгое время после чайной церемонии.

Лично мне настой Я Бао напоминает шампанское, которое я безумно люблю. Вот честное слово, я вообще не пью, но если передо мной поставить бутылку хорошего французского шампанского - я не смогу отказаться. И буду его пить. И очень вероятно, что в больших количествах. :) Настолько огромна моя любовь к этому напитку. Но по силе притяжения чайные почки Пуэра очень похожи на шампанское, и являются прекрасной заменой. Цвет настоя очень напоминает этот божественный напиток. Только пузыриков нет. Но на это можно не обращать внимания! Поверьте мне!

Эх, как жалко, что мои запасы закончились! Пора их пополнять! В данный момент эти почки - мой любимый чай. И если у Вас будет возможность их попробовать - очень советую это сделать! :)

On Serving Tea with your HEART ♥

What is more important - having a perfect tea ceremony visually, or having it done imperfectly but with the heart full of Love?

Once Rikyu took two disciples to have tea with an old man, quite poor, who made exquisite iron tea kettles.

The man’s hut was shabby, his utensils inferior and mismatched, his tea not of the best quality. His hands shook as he performed the ceremony, and at one point he even dropped the tea scoop.

Walking home with Rikyu, the two disciples couldn’t help but draw attention to all the man’s short comings as a host.

Rikyu upbraided them, saying, “His tea was superb. He used his best utensils, gave us his best tea, and served us with all the sincerity of his heart. He is your master.”

Many though there be Who with words or even hands Know the Way of Tea Few there are or not at all Who can serve it from the heart

Though you wipe your hands And brush off the dust and dirt From the tea vessels What’s the use of all thus fuss If the heart is still impure?

On the wave of love ♥Безбашенные чайные ребята Om Lab ♥

Ok, friends, I am in a video mode, because this is what is coming up for me today. Can't help it... :)

This video - I just fell in Love with it - and even if you don't understand russian, you will feel the vibe, the energy of these crazy OM LAB guys, who are rapping-singing-advertising about the series of tea events in their tea shop.

Basically they are singing: please come to the tea event on Sunday 5 o'clock, and we will not drink alcohol, and will not smoke, it's just going to be tea - tet-a-tet, and we will spend the evening on the wave of love - building the pyramid of Love....

Anyway, the music in this video is AMAZING, and I just smiled and felt really happy watching it. These guys make you fell happy! relaxed! high! A definite mood booster in the wintery London!

And I wish there was a place like this here in London! Young, creative, fun - for us, t-lovers, On the wave of love ♥

Please watch it and let me know how you felt!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=saSsZjjzdXo]

Ребята, по-моему, я сегодня на какой-то видео волне - но просто не могу не поделиться.

Случайно наткнулась на видео этих ребят Om Lab, которые поют в чайном магазинчике про серию чайных мероприятий, которые будут там проходить. Настроение у меня необъяснимо подпрыгнуло вверх - и теперь зашкаливает где-то в крайних положительных пределах моего диапазона. На самом деле, даже не смогу аргументировать, чем это клип меня так зацепил - может, кто-то посмотрит, и вовсе скажет: бред. Но мне просто безумно понравилась безбашенность ребят, их какой-то позитив, видно, что их действительно прёт, и это очень заряжает.

И прямо жалко даже, что в Лондоне нет такого чайного места, про чайную серию которого они так поют. Я бы с ними чай точно выпила.

Вот один из комментариев к видео в Youtube: "Меня невероятно раздражает русский рэп, но вас я люблю всей душой! Вы не можете не подкупать, ваша бескрышность и отдача - это мощнейнее оружие. Серьезно, вы - *%нутые на всю голову в самом хорошем смысле слова :) Видно, что вас прет и это передается слушателю."

И действительно, для поднятия настроения - лучшее лекарство. И мне безумно интересно знать, меня одну так они цепляют, или всё-таки вас тоже?