The Japanese tea ceremony is a formalized and ritualized ceremony that has acquired an air of mysticism.  In a magazine article from a recent martial arts journal the tea ceremony is described and the "rules" for the ceremony are listed.  First we will look at these rules, as most of us are unacquainted with them.  

A description of the ceremony:

"The tea-hut is often to be found in a garden called a roji (dewy path). The features that are found in the roji are not meant to be too ornamental but are rather supposed to suggest a quite natural scene. There will ideally be a room where the guests can change their clothes before entering the waiting room. This will be constructed from natural materials such as wood and bamboo as will the privy, which will be nearby. Stepping stones will lead from here towards a small gate leading to the inner roji and from there, more stepping stones leading to the tea-hut itself, which as mentioned earlier should be also made from natural materials. Also, on the way to the tea-hut there will be a stone water basin and a stone lantern. The layout should not be random but should also not look deliberate. The roji is used as a means to cleanse or purify the guest's mind and rid them of worldly concerns or distractions. 'To walk along this garden path is to discard worldly title, position, and means."

"Before a tea gathering the host will clean the tea-hut prior to the guests' arrival so that not a speck of dust remains. All the utensils will also be thoroughly cleaned...establishing order within himself. As he attends to the details of the tea-room and garden path, he is no less attending to his own consciousness and to the state of mind in which he will serve his guest."

The ritual provides for a very structured and ordered path for the participants to follow.  With such, it becomes possible to make the ceremony a meditation in action.

The article notes that: "It is through lessons such as these that ...the 'Seven Rules of Tea' are passed on."

1. Make the tea good to drink.
2. Lay the charcoal so that it will boil the water.
3. Arrange the flowers as they are in the field.
4. In summer suggest coolness, in winter, warmth.
5. Be early for the appointed time.
6. Prepare for rain regardless.
7. Be considerate of other guests.

How in the world could it be possible relate these rules to anything BUT the tea ceremony?  Let's investigate further how a ceremony as simple as this can serve for daily life.

The first of the seven rules is what ever you do, do it with spirit, do it with heart, do it with YOUR best.

"Make the tea good to drink" --Make it with heart.

The ceremony is about the tea as well as about the hospitality and the other components of the ritual.  The article "tells us that we should make a delicious bowl of tea. This means more than just using the best utensils or tea, but rather the spirit in which it is made.  Material objects count for nothing if we do not put our heart into it and fully commit ourselves."

"In whatever we do, we must do it with all our heart."

The next rule is to be mindful of the fundamentals required for attending to the action contemplated.  Without the understanding and the experience associated with these fundamentals your actions will become a struggle.

"Lay the charcoal so that it will boil the water." --Mind the Fundamentals.

"the charcoal fire is the foundation upon which tea is made. Without a properly laid fire, water cannot be boiled and therefore tea cannot be made."

Lacking knowledge of fundamentals we surely struggle to make progress.

The next  rule reminds us not only to partake of the beauty of nature, but to also the beauty of simplicity.  Keep it Simple is more than a saying, it is an appropriate guideline for living.

"Arrange the Flowers as they are in the field."--Enjoy the Beauty of Simplicity.

"this rule should not be taken too literally. In the tea-room you do not find huge bunches of brightly colored flowers...placed in a vase mounted on the wall or set on the floor will be one flower. From this one flower, the beauty of all the flowers in the field is to be shown."

The beauty of nature can be recalled with but a single example, and the memory is a more powerful stimulus.  With the beauty of simplicity comes the stimulus of powerful memories.

We must never forget that we are not alone in this world.  We must be mindful of those around us.  These "rules" admonish us that the comfort of others IS a part of our duties in life.

"In summer suggest coolness, in winter, warmth"--Offer Comfort

"With this rule the host is bound to make [the tea ceremony] as comfortable as possible for the guest. For example, on a cold winter's day the host would place a flower...a scroll, or a set of utensils that suggests warmth. This should be enough to take the guest's mind off the cold."

With this rule we clearly move into  the care of those around us--others.  Those around us should find comfort in our presence.

 
When considering the comfort of others, and the necessities of the ceremony, timeliness is a crucial point...as it is in life. What more needs to be said in regards to this rule?  Timing is everything. 

"Be early for the appointed time."--Be Timely

"The host should have everything prepared in good time for the tea gathering.  Likewise, the guest too must be punctual in order to maintain the flow of the gathering....it is everyone's responsibility to be punctual and not to waste anyone's time."

Timing is everything.

 
We are reminded  that nature sometimes throws unexpected "curveballs" at us.  We should prepare ourselves for the day when the curveball comes our way.

"Prepare for rain regardless."--Be Prepared.

"This rule reminds us that we should not leave anything to chance. If anything unforeseen were to happen, we should have the ability to deal with the situation."

"The chief aim of the teacher...is to nurture in the student the ability to respond with composure to any occasion, whatever may happen, with an open heart and a free and direct mind."

This rule speaks to intention--planning.  To be prepared one must plan for the unforeseen.  This is good advice for life as well.  Prepare for the unexpected.

The next rule reminds us that we must give consideration to our lives, to the lives of others, and to improving ourselves.

"Be considerate of others."--Be Considerate

"It means that both sensei and student have a common purpose when practicing. That is, through teaching or learning both are striving to become better people."

Consideration is careful thought over a period of time.  More than courtesy, consideration necessitates some amount of careful thought over some period of time.  As this rule points out when the teacher and the student's purpose is self improvement through practice then both are becoming better.  Consideration in the tea ceremony translates to consideration in life for awareness is often developed through careful thought over a period of time.

The simple rules of the simple tea ceremony  hold, then, some profound teachings for every day life:

1. Make the tea good to drink--In all you do, do it with heart.
2. Lay the charcoal so that it will boil the water--Mind the fundamentals.
3. Arrange the flowers as they are in the field--Enjoy the beauty of simplicity.
4. In summer suggest coolness, in winter, warmth--Offer comfort.
5. Be early for the appointed time--Be timely.
6. Prepare for rain regardless--Be prepared.
7. Be considerate of other guests--Be considerate.

These are good lessons for all of us to learn: live life with heart, mind the fundamentals, enjoy the beauty of its simplicity, offer comfort to others, be timely, prepared and considerate.  Good advice for knights, and those who would be as knights.