Tea Practice is a bit like a world of its own. It’s somewhat of an insular practice space, a Dojo (道場）for immersive learning. It’s freeing in a sense beause it doesn’t come with the stakes and stressess of a workplace. Because we gather because of our common interest in Tea, Practice, and Japanese culture. Our Senior teacher once asked, “Do you know how Japanese and Chinese tea practice differ?” To which we discussed,“The Chinese ‘art’ of tea probably places more emphasis on the taste, the origins, the tenor of the tea?” we continue, “Whereas Japanese Tea Practice, or Chado (way of tea) is about the practice of the whole person.”  Our Senior teacher nods in acknowledgement. Indeed, aside from the ceremony of serving the tea, almost everything around the Tea Practice serves as potential for learning.  To Help or Hijack? Last Saturday, before the start of class, we gathered in the Mizuya (水屋), the water room for prepping and cleaning utensils, arranging sweets. One of our teachers asked a classmate to help cut up a …