A Morning of Meditation & Matcha with Scott Norton

Sunday, July 27th, 10 - 11 am, $30

There is an old saying that “Tea and Zen are of the same flavor” (茶禅一味). 茶の湯 chanoyu (lit. “hot water for tea”), the Japanese tea ceremony, strikes at the core of this concept, taking the mundane act of preparing a bowl of tea and turning it into a means to focus the mind and meditate. In the period it takes to boil water, cleanse the wares, whisk tea, and offer it, distinctions between host and guest, the inner and outer world, stillness and action are given an opportunity to fade away. In its place, clarity, curiosity, and the taste of tea. 

Join us Sunday, July 27th at 10am to sit in meditation paired with the practice of chanoyu. Participants will learn the basics of meditation, as well as the foundations of Japanese tea ceremony, and enjoy a bowl of matcha (抹茶, powdered green tea) prepared in the traditional manner. A fee of $30 helps to source tea and incense and ensure the continuation of tea meditation practice at Valley Spirit Wellness Center.

Scott Norton is a practitioner and educator in tea and tea culture. He has been practicing 茶の湯chanoyu, 工夫茶 gōngfū chá, and the Korean Way of Tea for two decades, and is a researcher and writer on tea history. Scott has been featured as a lecturer in universities, museums, and tea events. He has collaborated with artists and institutions to develop exhibitions and artworks focusing on tea history and tea practice. Currently, Scott is actively writing for his ongoing tea and meditation blog, Scotttea, practicing and offering tea in and around the Hudson Valley, and researching and recreating Sòng period style 抹茶 mǒchá. He continues to source tea and teaware from producers in East Asia, as well as research and collect antique teaware, items for incense appreciation, and scholars’ objects from Classical Korea, Japan, and China.