Japanese matcha tea is world renowned for its taste as well as for its nutritional properties. Consumers, especially those in Western nations to which match tea is a relatively new product, should acquaint themselves with… Read More
The Simple Life: Minimalism is Huge
Minimalism, the lifestyle that shuns clutter, complication and excess, is on the rise. Indeed, in many cosmopolitan centers around the world, minimalism is the “next big thing,” a social trend that is gaining followers in… Read More
The Top 5 Teaching Stories from Spiritual Traditions
Buddhism and other major spiritual traditions have used parables and so-called “teaching stories” for centuries. Many of the best known Biblical parables, Buddhist tales, Hindu sagas and even humorous Sufi anecdotes are ancient renditions of… Read More
What’s More to Know About Meditation
The health benefits of regular meditation are well known to modern science, but what about the rest of the story? Aside from the physical advantages, why would anyone really want to sit still for minutes… Read More
Get Your Black Belt in Tea: Master These Matcha Tea FAQ
Matcha tea is relatively new to the Western world, though it is well known in Asia. Many who are new to drinking matcha tea want to know about its cultivation, chemical composition, the right time… Read More
Tea Cultures from Sri Lanka to London to Tokyo
The world is awash in tea culture, tea tradition and tea history. Wars have been fought over tea, mass migrations have taken place as a result of failed tea harvests, and the world’s economy counts… Read More
Beauty Lies in the Hands of the Teaholder: Wabi-Sabi in the Context of the Tea Ceremony
Wabi-Sabi is the Japanese idea of beauty. As an aesthetic notion, it has influenced Japanese life and culture for centuries. From the crafting of vases and tea bowls for matcha, to painting and writing, into… Read More
It’s All in the Perseverance: Tai Chi and the Beauty of Moving Meditation
Tai Chi as a recreational fitness practice has long roots that trace back to China, where it was originally a multi-faceted physical regimen that incorporated martial arts, fitness and health aspects. The majority of tai… Read More
The Health Secrets of Traditional Japanese Foods
Japanese people are a scientific anomaly in many ways. While they enjoy the longest life span of any nation on earth, the country’s rates of alcoholism, smoking and stress are also quite high. Many experts… Read More
The Key Differences between Meditation and Hypnosis
Meditation and hypnosis have much in common. Certainly, the major movement in alternative health considers each one an important way to achieve and maintain a healthy state. But even within the medical context, the two… Read More