Summary

The text is a reflective narrative about embracing and finding comfort with the emotions of fear and despair through the ritual of drinking tea.

Abstract

"Tea with Fear and Despair" is a contemplative prose piece that personifies fear and despair as guests invited for tea. The author engages in a dialogue with these emotions, acknowledging their presence and the distress they bring. Through the act of preparing and savoring a special blend of tea, the narrative illustrates a moment of respite and introspection. The characters of fear and despair express their struggles, finding solace in the warmth and aroma of the tea. The author guides them through a sensory experience, encouraging a pause in their turmoil and suggesting the possibility of peace and a different perspective on life's challenges. The text concludes with a message of gratitude for the visit and the shared experience, hinting at the universal nature of such emotional encounters and the potential for comfort in the midst of adversity.

Opinions

The author views fear and despair as profound teachers and acknowledges their impact on one's worldview.
There is an underlying belief in the therapeutic power of simple rituals, like drinking tea, to provide temporary relief from emotional distress.
The text suggests that mindfulness and being present in the moment can offer a reprieve from negative emotions.
The narrative implies that acknowledging and sitting with difficult emotions is a valuable step towards finding peace and comfort.
The author seems to advocate for the importance of self-care and the nurturing effects of engaging the senses to cope with fear and despair.
The prose hints at a deeper philosophical perspective that our perceptions shape our reality, and altering our focus can lead to a different experience of life.

Tea with Fear and Despair

a prose encounter with two of the wisest teachers

Welcome

Welcome friends fear and despair

Come in

Come in, please

Would you like some tea?

Chamomile or special blend?

We’ll have the special blend if that is what you are serving

Good choice

Now

Now while we steep and ponder, letting the herbs and grains soften their lovely hold

Let us talk about our days.

Fear, what’s going on in your world?

Oh, the world is horrible. I can’t go out; I can’t do all things that I would enjoy. There’s not much for me to do. I can’t go anywhere.

Hmmm, I see.

What about you despair?

Oh, the world is falling apart. I can’t take the pain anymore. My heart bleeds.

Please

Please, I wish every day the pain would go away, but it doesn’t

Hmmm, I see

Why don’t we have some tea now? It should be done steeping now.

Let us hold the tea, feeling the warmth of Mother’s kiss upon our hands.

Imagine the herbs and flora hand-picked from the earth, given freely for our health.

The hydrangea

The licorice root

The hibiscus

The hyacinth

Ginger’s rooted thoughts

Turmeric’s anti-inflammatory offerings

Lest not forget the ancient red bush’ secrets and story-line.

Oh, let the smells float, drifting into the nares, calming inner spirits

Just for a moment

*long exaggerated smelling sound

Oh, enjoy this moment with tea

Enjoy this moment of feeling

Something so eloquent

Now, when you are ready, go ahead and take a sip

Allowing your taste buds to feel the savory blend and magical ease of the herbs and the Mother’s gift

Allowing that fear or despair to pause for but a moment

Allowing peace to fill your oropharynx

Just for a moment

Hold it there

Imagine something different; whatever comes to mind will do.

Now swallow.

*Warm quenching sound of taking a drink

Allowing it to coat the stomach

*long exaggerated smelling sound

Allow it to fill the area of the solar plexus with warmth

…and forgiving peace

…and quiet

Just for a moment.

Just for a moment, let the chatter of the mind disappear while focusing on how our belly feels

Comforted at this moment in time.

At this moment in time, we feel comforted.

*Exaggerated Sighing sounds and drawn out exhales

Letting the breath out, taking another sip

Let us chat

About life’s events

They come, they go

Filling our heads with their thoughts

Depending on our cornea and retinal scans’ lens, we see a world as we see it.

But what if we felt something different?

What if we felt a deeper calling, higher purpose, or whatever you want to call it?

Do we follow that?

Do we follow that feeling or thought?

Alright, now let it all go, even the feeling or calling of what may be.

Drink up; we are almost done here.

I am so glad we got to talk. Thank you both for stopping by.

I do hope this tea has calmed your nerves, allowing peaceful resting invites for the many.

Now go home!

Often like songs of the ether, universal thoughts or wherever these story-lines come from, this little prose came to life with recorder in hand. So I share it here, for all to enjoy. Please take a sip, let me know what comes to thought. With smiles from my heart to yours, I gift to you, Tea with Fear and Despair.

Joseph Lieungh