GONG FU CHA - 功夫茶 - the Chinese art of preparing tea.
Tea is steeped into the foundation of Terra Nova.
I fell in love with the practice of artistically preparing and drinking tea in 2021, around the time the Terra Nova vision first came through my body and started brewing in my consciousness. In fact, nearly all of the founding members of Terra Nova came into my life through tea sits that lasted all day at West China Tea.
Steep after steep, the tea began to breathe Life into the vision. We sat around the tea table at my home in Austin and spoke our wildest dreams into existence. Our words and laughs lingered in the incense filled air. We dared not only to imagine our visions for Terra Nova, but tuned into the sensations of it, as if we were already there, experiencing it for ourselves. Terra Nova is the frequency that naturally arises around the tea table. A space where all are invited to freely express themselves and be received and loved on by the community.
That’s the power of tea. It brings us into the present moment through a luxurious journey through the senses. It is simple and profound. Words don’t have to be exchanged, but there is without a doubt an exchange happens when you share a cup of tea with someone. You are connected by the leaf, which naturally reminds you of your inherent connection to all Life. For me, what matters, is how it makes you feel. Not just the tea itself, but the experience of steeping in presence with a friend, admiring the beautiful tea wares, the sounds of the water boiling, the steam on your skin, the heavenly scent of incense burning…
Join the Terra Nova community for our bi-weekly tea ceremony. We begin every sit sipping three rounds of tea in silence and then move into conversation and connection. If you are new to tea, no need to acquire a fancy gaiwan or teapot (although they are quite fun). You can begin with a small bowl or cup, some loose leaf tea, and some hot water. If you’d like to familiarize yourself with the practice of Gong Fu Cha, we recommend starting here.
Our favorite tea purveyors:
“If we’re not mindful, it’s not tea that we’re drinking but our own illusions and afflictions. If the tea becomes real, we become real. When we are able to truly meet the tea, at that very moment we are truly alive.”
— Thich Nhat Hanh
CREATOR MEMBERS: Terra Nova Creator Members receive complimentary access to all gatherings included in their membership. Please use the code found under The Hearth on Substack to use at checkout to waive the drop in cost. Reserve your spot at the link below.
COMMUNITY MEMBERS: If you’re not ready to join our paid membership, but would like to join us for tea, you may purchase a drop in pass at the link below.