Walking in the Way of Tea
By Tatu May 2005 Photos by Tatu
"Wa, Kei, Sei, Jaku", which mean:
Walking the "way of tea" or the "way of rope" is not easy because the way of tea is a life which people seek tranquility through harmony, respect, and purity, yet this is not the way of most in our world. For many their way is full of chaos. Many people simply just have no desire for tranquility. They are not at peace or in harmony with themselves, or anyone. Their lives are lacking purity. Their pasts are tainted with secrets, hideous shameful events for which they have never dealt successfully or tried to be honest and true with themselves or others.
Be warned, if you are seeking the way of tranquility, there will be those with no peace who will target and test you in every way possible. Some will just become outright unscrupulous in their attempts to undermine you. You must understand you will be different, and some people don't like that. One who follows the way of discord, greed, and ego while doing D/s may very well develop a worthless or low value submissive philosophy. They see a definite superiority of classes in their D/s. Doms are gods, subs are doormats, not real flesh and blood with feelings and emotions, they are pieces of meat to be used. They organize their environments almost in godfather fashion. Seeking to control and manipulate with their power. Often these Dominants are not Dominants at all ,but domineering jerks, trying to demand respect. Low self-esteemed individuals (Dom and subs) are attracted to this style, because they feel they can get instant gratification for what they lack in character. Because of their low self-esteem they can feel it necessary to be critical and unkind to others, capable of using very destructive words and deeds. They do this because in order to make themselves feel good about themselves, they compensate for their lack of self-esteem by attempting to lift themselves up by knocking others down. On the other hand, with a mindset dedicated to the way of tranquility at work in D/s, there is more likely to be a mutual love and respect at work between Dominant and submissive and in the community. Dominants with this mindset never talk down about submissives. They see them as wonderful people, special, unique to be cherished and cared for. They understand the beauty of the service given to them and responds with great love and affection. There may be correction and punishment, but never given in rage or anger or fear, but with love and discipline. Respect is not demanded by the Dominant, he doesn't have to prove himself to anyone. Respect is given by the submissive because she has been loved and treated with honor and she sees her Dominant as worthy of respect.
© 2005, Tatu Tatu @ Ds-Arts . com
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Wa.
Harmony is made up of all the different things that make up
our world. Harmony is seen in the way people act and behave among one another.
It is seen in the way the oriental places great emphasis on aesthetics, the
gardens, tea flowers, tea bowls, bonsai, candles, colors, aromas, etc. In
a tea ceremony the participants communicate in silence with each other through
every element in the setting as the host uses them to call out a sense of
harmony in the tearoom. While there is never total agreement on all matters
of life, we celebrate the harmony of kindred spirits. So should we celebrate
the harmony of our individual D/s bents.
Kei.
Respect. People must respect all things, all matters
without involving their status or position in life; that is, people must
not judge or discriminate. In the way of tea, all participants historically
crawl in a lowly position into the tearoom, all kneel and enjoy the harmony
together. Without respect there is no community. This does not mean all agree,
but we are willing to celebrate our uniqueness with one another without being
threatened or ashamed.
Sei.
Purity.
Purifying spirits is very important since the ideal spirit of the ceremony
is one where there is truth, and honesty with ones soul. To share the fullness
of the moments, all participants look inward introspectively, and judge their
own hearts and motives.
Jaku..
Tranquility. Only after the first three concepts (harmony,
respect, and purity) are discovered, experienced and embraced, can people
finally embody tranquility. This was the teaching of Rikyu the great 16th
century "Tea Master".
