Abundant moments in clear tea

 　　As the days go by, I've come to enjoy the company of a cup of tea.

　　Not the kind of demanding environment Lin Daiyu in *Dream of the Red Chamber* described: "One must choose a quiet room, a secluded study, perhaps on a high floor, amidst trees and rocks, a mountaintop, or a waterside cliff. And on a clear, moonlit night, with incense burning and quiet contemplation, the mind free of distractions, the blood and qi at peace, only then can one unite with the spirit and the Dao." Under any tree, on any rock, on any small stool, I while away the quiet time built with a cup of tea.

　　A kettle, a cup, a handful of tea leaves…

　　I lift the kettle, the water falls, the steam rises. Leaf by leaf, some floating on the surface, some swimming, some sinking to the bottom of the cup, like newly sprouted buds in the March rain, their veins radiant, gently stretching their languid bodies. Leaves undulate in the water, water permeates the leaves, inseparable in their love.

　　A delicate fragrance wafts from the cup, gradually unfolding its aroma, and the tea liquor transforms from colorless to a pale green.

　　A sip enters the throat, bitterness and sweetness lingering on the tongue. Closing my eyes, I savor the tea, experiencing a dual cleansing of both taste buds and soul.

　　The aroma of the tea, the clarity of the water, accompany my tranquil state.

　　Stepping away from life, freeing myself from worldly affairs and interpersonal relationships, shedding all superficiality and glitz, unburdened and carefree, like an anchor cast deep within my heart, settling steadily. Giving up complaining, giving up clamor, shaking off weariness, and slowly calming my mind. Putting aside so-called longings, rivalries, and negative emotions, leaving them behind, or casting them far away.

　　In this time, untouched by intruders, like a rushing river reaching its wide downstream, converging into a vast lake, the silt slowly settling, the water becoming clear and transparent, undisturbed. Calm down, clear your mind, and your heart becomes serene and bright, as if washed clean by clear water, free of impurities and distractions.

　　Open a favorite collection of essays, slowly reading and savoring each word. Gradually, the beautiful words draw me into the world the author describes… Sometimes I close the book in deep thought, sometimes tears well up, fully enjoying the gentle breeze and soft rain within the words.

　　When the mood strikes, I lean on my desk and write a few lines, recording my feelings at that moment. The words leap out one by one with my clear thoughts… In the words, I experience my own joy, my own happiness, and my own sorrow.

　　Or perhaps I'll play some music, listening attentively to the beautiful melodies played by a musical master, letting the flowing music wash away all my worries, like picking chrysanthemums by the eastern fence, or sitting alone in a secluded bamboo grove…

　　I can recite a poem for my own enjoyment, hum a tune to myself in reverie, or think of the warm smiles of family and friends, letting my thoughts drift slowly, near or far, without forcing myself to express sorrow, savoring the joy and sadness within.

　　Sitting quietly, watching quietly, listening quietly, thinking quietly. Letting the simple leaves bloom and sublimate gently in the water, letting my thoughts drift aimlessly, a continuous stream of small joys flows through my veins.

　　Drinking, I suddenly realize. Tea, often, has no distinction of good or bad, expensive or cheap; truly good tea is not outside of us, but within our hearts, within our feelings.

　　Drinking, I gradually understand. Life is like a tea leaf; only through trials and tribulations, through pain and hardship, can one truly appreciate its essence and charm. In those ups and downs, life becomes more radiant and fragrant.

　　Alas! We often chase after unattainable goals in our busy lives, believing that success and fame are the ultimate destination, yet we miss countless beautiful things along the way. The poetry of life lies not in the accumulation of fame and fortune; it quietly hides in a cup of tea, a blade of grass, a smile, and a frown.