--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I picked up the earthen cup and went to…" description: "\"“I picked up the earthen cup and went to take a sip. “Not like that,” Miyamoto said. “Let it cool a little. Give yourself a moment to appreciate the ar..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d33/barry-eisler-1009_coffee_i-picked-up-the-earthen-cup-and-went-to_114943.png" --- # I picked up the earthen cup and went to take a sip. “Not… ![“I picked up the earthen cup and went to take a sip. “Not like that,” Miyamoto said. “Let it cool a little. Give yourself a moment to appreciate the aroma, the feel of the bowl in your hands.” I was a little surprised and didn’t respond, though nor did I drink any tea. Miyamoto flushed. “I’m…” quote by Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d33/barry-eisler-1009_coffee_i-picked-up-the-earthen-cup-and-went-to_114943.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d33/barry-eisler-1009_coffee_i-picked-up-the-earthen-cup-and-went-to_114943.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/d33/barry-eisler-1009_coffee_i-picked-up-the-earthen-cup-and-went-to_114943.png) > ““I picked up the earthen cup and went to take a sip. “Not like that,” Miyamoto said. “Let it cool a little. Give yourself a moment to appreciate the aroma, the feel of the bowl in your hands.” I was a little surprised and didn’t respond, though nor did I drink any tea. Miyamoto flushed. “I’m sorry,” he said. “This is why my children prefer to avoid me. Only…it seems a shame, not to pause to appreciate the small things. So often they’re more important than what we think are the big ones.” Somehow, being corrected by Miyamoto didn’t sting. “It’s fine,” I said. “Do you know a lot about tea?” He shook his head quickly as though embarrassed. “Very little.” I sensed he was being modest. “You’ve done sadō, I think,” I said, referring to the Japanese tea ceremony—literally, “the way of tea.” “Perhaps I was exposed to it somewhat, when I was younger. But still it’s really not right for me to suggest to others how they should comport themselves.” “No, I don’t mind,” I said, setting my bowl down. “Show me the way you would do it.” He beamed. “All right, since you ask. What’s important is not much more than what I said. The purpose is to appreciate, to pay careful attention…to be mindful. Not to overlook what seems small but that is in fact significant. The rest is commentary, no?” The word he used for “mindful” was nen, which typically means “sense” or “feeling.” If he hadn’t offered the additional context, I wouldn’t have quite understood his meaning. I nodded and followed his lead, holding the bowl, appreciating the aroma, savoring the taste. At first I was just being polite, but after a few moments, I started to wonder if he might have a point. I knew there were tradecraft things I’d been missing. Why wouldn’t there be everyday things, as well? What would it cost to become more heedful of those things…and would the practice of becoming more heedful of one naturally cause me to become more heedful of the other? I thought this nen was an attitude worth cultivating. Not just to appreciate the things that make life worth living. But to be attuned to the things that can keep you alive.”” [Barry Eisler](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barry-eisler/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Through a tea‑ceremony vignette, the speaker learns that mindfulness and appreciation of small, sensory details can reveal deeper significance beyond surface appearances. **In simple terms:** Mindful attention to simple moments uncovers hidden value. Key Takeaway Small, mindful experiences enrich perception. Themes mindfulness cultural practice perception learning Mood contemplative curious Type personal anecdote philosophical reflection When to use this quote - Practicing tea ceremony to cultivate presence - Pausing to notice sensory details during daily routines Key Concepts embodied awareness intercultural humility Practical Applications - Integrate brief sensory pauses into work breaks Questions to Reflect On - Can mindful rituals become empty gestures? - How does cultural context affect the practice of mindfulness? A Different Perspective Over‑emphasis on ritual may become performative, losing authentic mindfulness. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Coffee](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/coffee/) [Life worth living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/life-worth-living/) [Small things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/small-things/) [Tea](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tea/) [Tea ceremony](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/tea-ceremony/) [Worth living](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/worth-living/) ## Related quotes > [I can smell bacon sizzling or chicken roasting and appreciate the aroma, but I don't want to eat it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ella-woodward/i-can-smell-bacon-sizzling-or-chicken-roasting-and-appreciate-the/) [Ella Woodward](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ella-woodward/) > [“We're supposed to strive for harmony, and that's what the art of tea is supposed to accomplish... but harmony is very, very difficult to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/koushun-takami/we-re-supposed-to-strive-for-harmony-and-that-s-what-the-art-of-tea/) [Koushun Takami](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/koushun-takami/) > [Mapping out dozens of deeply focused trips around the world has convinced me that preparation no more spoils the chance for spontaneity and serendipity…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-cousineau/mapping-out-dozens-of-deeply-focused-trips-around-the-world-has/) [Phil Cousineau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-cousineau/) > [Wabi means spare, impoverished; simple and functional. 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So often they’re more important than what we think are the big ones.” Somehow, being corrected by Miyamoto didn’t sting. “It’s fine,” I said. “Do you know a lot about tea?” He shook his head quickly as though embarrassed. “Very little.” I sensed he was being modest. “You’ve done sadō, I think,” I said, referring to the Japanese tea ceremony—literally, “the way of tea.” “Perhaps I was exposed to it somewhat, when I was younger. But still it’s really not right for me to suggest to others how they should comport themselves.” “No, I don’t mind,” I said, setting my bowl down. “Show me the way you would do it.” He beamed. “All right, since you ask. What’s important is not much more than what I said. The purpose is to appreciate, to pay careful attention…to be mindful. Not to overlook what seems small but that is in fact significant. The rest is commentary, no?” The word he used for “mindful” was nen, which typically means “sense” or “feeling.” If he hadn’t offered the additional context, I wouldn’t have quite understood his meaning. I nodded and followed his lead, holding the bowl, appreciating the aroma, savoring the taste. At first I was just being polite, but after a few moments, I started to wonder if he might have a point. I knew there were tradecraft things I’d been missing. Why wouldn’t there be everyday things, as well? What would it cost to become more heedful of those things…and would the practice of becoming more heedful of one naturally cause me to become more heedful of the other? I thought this nen was an attitude worth cultivating. Not just to appreciate the things that make life worth living. 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