Zen & Tea One Flavor

This book does exactly what it states in the introduction. For many Zen (Chan) readers the stories within this book will be known and for some, very well known. But that is not the point, it is the reinterpretation of the stories and the explanation that Mr Fisher gives that makes this book useful and insightful. Is the book about tea? Yes. Is the book about Zen? Yes. Is it about both? Yes, again. However, it is more than the sum of its parts. Mr Fisher has written a book that is also about living and living an enlightened life.This book is not a history of tea and Zen and is not a cultural or social map of the two. It goes straight to the heart of the matter on the first page "...Zen is an experience..." so is the experience of tea but also so is our life; not to be sitting on the sidelines or wondering which path we should follow. Mr Fisher gives us the only path that is possible, our path. A different path to anybody else. A path that is uniquely our own but in the paradox that is Zen and in fact, also tea, the path that belongs to us all equally and is the same."Zen and Tea One Flavor" is able to be read straight through or by reading individual chapters in any order. Meaning for each chapter is self contained and not dependent on serial reading. Each chapter has a story and an exposition on that story. The exposition is the thing that will stay with you, like the flavour of tea, sometimes for a long time.So, this book is not only about Zen and not only about tea. However, by reading this book you will learn a lot about both and much more. "...there is nothing to agree or disagree with, merely signs pointing the way."

I found this quite a lovely read. Aaron Fisher(Wu De) has a card that reads 'liquid enchanter'. I found this quite apparent in how he fuses Zen with Tea. I saw Wu De(Aaron Fisher), or at least had the experience , of sharing a cup of tea with him and others prior to acquiring this book. If this is part of your path, how ever you define it, then the words resonate and he writes well. He is able to move meaning across culture with out it becoming lost in translation. Or it appears that way as it is written from the heart.Sharing the meaning rather than handing it down.

This may not only be the greatest book on tea ever written, and the greatest book on Zen ever written, this might be the greatest book ever written PERIOD!This book urges you to "Have a cup" and wait "While the next pot is steeping" through its various sections. Via this journey of reading along with tea as prescribed, wonderful insight is bound to occur. Who knows? Maybe through its pages you'll lose yourself!When the soul is pure and the cha clean,There is no one left for the tea to drink --Alone in the garden,Steaming to itself.-- Wu De --This book can take you.

Great book. Inspirational and really makes you slow down, and "have a cup of tea"

A tea lover must read book,recommended for those who love zen and tea.