We first met Jade when she stopped by our shop in Littleton, it was one of those beautiful coincidences.
Jade is the founder of WAOTEA, the author of the book "Tea, Remembering the Essence of Life", and a facilitator of meditative, and creative experiences.
Through the language of tea, nature, and the healing arts — Jade supports her community navigating life’s transitions, and healing. She has been studying and sourcing tea in China, Japan and Malaysia since 2010.
She is a dedicated student of Chinese metaphysics — and a certified student of mindfulness meditation, vanda scaravelli yoga, yin yoga, biodynamic psychology, chi nei tsang, thai massage, reflexology, creative writing and art therapy.
Where are you from and where are you living now and how long have you been there?
I am originally from Ottawa, Canada, but I have not been living in Canada since I was 18 years old. I moved to Switzerland when I was 18, and lived there for a few years, before moving to Asia, then French Polynesia, and later to California. After spending a few years in California, I moved to New-Mexico, and more recently, to the forest and mountains of New-Hampshire.
You have a deep love of nature, how do you maintain your connection?
I was very blessed to grow up in the forest, and live close to Nature, most of my life. As a child, I was often hiding with the trees, away from the city. It was always very important for me to be close to the trees, mountains, rivers, lakes. I was also initiated to a mindful and meditative way to sit with tea when I was younger, and while living in Asia. For the past 14 years, I have sit with tea in this way, every morning, which has kept me feeling so grateful and attentive to the precious teachings of Nature.
How long have you known Thayer, how did you meet?
We met on a photoshoot set in California, in 2016. We were often finding each other working on the same projects, her as a photographer and me as a "stylist" or "model". We were happy to reconnect here in the north east.
Where did you go to capture these beautiful shots?
Our beautiful photos were captured by a very lovely pond not far from our home, Seth and I (my partner, with me in the photos). It was a chill summer day with a lot of fog, which really added a dreamy and cozy quality to the moment.
How did your love of tea start?
About 14 years ago, when I was initiated to a ceremonial and meditative way of serving tea, after my mother's passing. My mom used to meditate with tea in the morning when I was a child. I was too young to be interested in this practice as a child, but the practice returned to me around the time of her death, which felt like a precious gift, and had inspired me to go to Asia at the time. I had the occasion to deepen my practice with tea, for the past 14 years, in China, Japan, Malaysia, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. It is something I practice everyday, with dedication, since then.
Tell us about WAOTEA and your tea philosophy.
The name of this project stands for "We Are One". Through this project, I support my community navigating the different phases of life with more ease, and connect with their creative energy, with a variety of offerings, all focusing on the way of tea, the five elements, Chinese metaphysics, and archetypal practices -- through the containers of online spaces, and in person retreats. I source tea and tea objects to support the practice of my community (available for purchase), and I facilitate a variety of offerings, either online or in person.
How important is your practice of meditation to you? What time of day do you love to meditate?
I practice tea meditation, with dedication, everyday. I usually start my day in this way, and will sometimes meditate again in the afternoon, at the end of my work day.
Your book is stunning, tell us about its themes.
Thank you. The intention of this book was to offer a meditative and creative way to connect to the practice of tea meditation. The first part of the book shares a story and historical context on tea, and the other half offers different rituals, practices and meditations to connect with the tea plant, and a creative and meditative container. It was a way for us to celebrate tea, Chinese culture and nature. It is a book that can be used as a daily inspiration, where you open a page everyday to support your meditation or tea practice. We wanted to create a beautiful, mindful and supportive object that can be a daily ally and inspiration to listen to Nature's way.
What brings you joy?
Simplicity, Nature, my family, friends, cats, painting, writing, dancing, my tea practice.
You have an upcoming trip to China, would love to hear about it.
I will be co-hosting a beautiful healing retreat in China this November, held in the birthplace of tea, surrounded by the most ancient tea trees. The retreat is a healing container focusing on tea medicine, indigenous wisdom, sacred crafts, immersion in Nature and the meeting with talented artists, masters and medicine people from the Bulang and Dai indigenous communities, among others. People will have the chance to experience the Five Elements through the healing ritual of tea, by discovering the unique ecosystem of the ancient tea tree forest, – and through various creative, meditative and healing practices in inspiring locations.
What does your perfect day look like?
Rising with a tea meditation and gentle movements, walking to the lake, in the forest, sharing a loving home cooked meal, playing with my cats, taking my time to walk slowly.
