CHASOURCING

I’m Emily Johnson, a tea enthusiast and lover of incense rituals, constantly exploring ways to create a peaceful, mindful atmosphere in my daily life. Over the years, I’ve incorporated various tools and practices that enhance both my tea-brewing experience and moments of tranquility through incense.

The brass incense burner is an essential part of my routine. I’m captivated by its timeless design, which brings a sense of elegance to my space. Paired with backflow incense cones, it offers a unique experience—unlike traditional incense, where the smoke rises, these cones produce a gentle downward flow. Watching the smoke cascade through the burner is mesmerizing and deeply calming, helping me center myself and find moments of stillness.

In my tea practice, the gaiwan is a favorite tool. This traditional Chinese tea vessel adds precision and mindfulness to my tea brewing. Whether it’s a fragrant oolong or a delicate green tea, the act of using the gaiwan requires focus and intention. Every step, from pouring water to straining the tea, enhances the sensory experience, making each cup a thoughtful, meditative process.

For a more casual approach, especially during summer, I turn to my sun tea jar. There’s something incredibly soothing about letting tea brew slowly under the sun’s warmth, capturing the essence of summer in a naturally refreshing drink. The simplicity of sun tea is perfect for hot days, and it offers a connection to nature that I truly appreciate.

On the other hand, I often use a cast iron teapot when I want to enjoy deeper, richer flavors. Its ability to retain heat makes it ideal for darker teas, and the weight of the pot itself adds a sense of tradition and history to the experience. Brewing with a cast iron teapot feels timeless, connecting me to the centuries-old heritage of tea culture.

When I want to visually appreciate the beauty of tea leaves unfurling, I turn to my glass teapot. The transparency of the teapot allows me to watch the tea slowly infuse and change color, adding an extra layer of enjoyment to the process. Whether it’s delicate white tea or a blooming flower tea, the glass teapot enhances the visual experience, offering a deeper connection to the ritual of tea-making.

By blending the rituals of incense and tea, I’ve created a personal space of mindfulness and reflection. These tools—a brass incense burner with backflow cones, a gaiwan, sun tea jar, cast iron teapot, and glass teapot—have become essential to my practice of slowing down and finding balance in the everyday.