Sunshine Springs Tea House (Photo by Elizabeth Dobos)<\/p>\n
Nestled in Colorado\u2019s Sunshine Canyon about six miles northwest of Boulder is the Sunshine Springs Tea House, a traditional Japanese tea hut that melds with nature seamlessly. It was built to be a sanctuary that honors tea traditions while drawing people together for respite and community.<\/p>\n
Lopa and Stephan van der Mersch built the tea hut over the course of two and a-half years and construction was completed in Autumn of 2018. In the short period of its existence, it has already begun to serve its purpose as a community space. The van der Mersches view tea ceremonies and tea drinking as a spiritual practice and want to share tea\u2019s positive impacts with others. \u201cWe\u2019ve been profoundly impacted by tea as a spiritual practice, [the tea hut] has been a way of creating a place and an offering, a thank you that we can share,\u201d said Lopa.<\/p>\n
Lopa van der Mersch performs a tea ceremony. (Photo by Lisa Larn)<\/p>\n
The van der Mersches were inspired during a trip to Taiwan where they participated in their first tea ceremony at the . This encounter brought Lopa to tears as it introduced her to experiencing and appreciating tea in an entirely new way.<\/p>\n
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They decided to build their own Japanese chashitsu-inspired tea hut on a piece of property that envelopes the structure in nature, buffering it and any ceremonies that happen within, from the urban bustle of Boulder. The hut has a traditional small, square nijiriguchi door at which guests remove their shoes and crawl inside. On the opposite wall, where there is usually a tokonoma (scroll alcove) holding a painting, instead there are double doors that open up to reveal a stunning view of Colorado\u2019s Front Range mountains.<\/p>\n
Stephan said the tea hut was built to last a thousand years. \u201cWe made it beautiful because then people will take care of it,\u201d he said, adding that most construction is not undertaken with this mindset anymore.<\/p>\n
He sees tea as a connection with self, a connection with others and a connection with nature.<\/p>\n
Lopa has learned age old and detailed process of the Cha Dao tea ceremony and occasionally hosts guests at the tea hut. \u201cIt\u2019s an expression of kindness,\u201d she said. Zen Buddhist priest also hosts events there.<\/p>\n
During a recent ceremony, Lopa brewed tea for Stephan and six guests who sat in a circle seiza-style on the tea hut\u2019s floor. Each recipient\u2019s tea bowl was first cleaned with hot water, made from melted snow from outside. Then, she brewed loose leaf pu\u2019erh tea from Yunnan, China and made friendly eye contact with each guest while handing their tea bowls to them. Though the group consumed three bowls of tea in complete silence, a communal bond was in its nascency.<\/p>\n
After the tea ceremony, everyone opened up about the significance of tea in their lives.<\/p>\n
Guests participate in a tea ceremony at the Sunshine Springs Tea House. (Photo by Elizabeth Dobos)<\/p>\n
\u201cWe\u2019re so busy these days with devices and things, so just to be able to sit down clear out space for a communication of a leaf that is hundreds of years old is a good bridge for all things in life, whether you\u2019re learning how to create space to turn towards your children, or someone you love,\u201d said guest Eli Buren. \u201cTea is so regenerative in its nature.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cTea gives me the ability and the flexibility to be in a meditative space while remembering the elemental\u2014instead of disassociating,\u201d said guest Lisa Larn. \u201cThere is something really normal about drinking tea and it just keeps connecting you back to life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThere aren\u2019t many things that are social lubricants but also deeper tools for connection,\u201d said guest Colin Hudon.<\/p>\n
Sharing tea experiences blossomed into sharing life experiences and laughter. Then people hugged before parting for the day.<\/p>\n
\u201cTea is the gift that keeps on giving,\u201d said Stephan.<\/p>\n
Those who want to experience a tea ceremony at the Sunshine Springs Tea House can email Lopa and Stephan at . An Instagram account chronicling the tea hut\u2019s construction can be found here: <\/em><\/p>\n Sunshine Springs Tea House (Photo by Elizabeth Dobos) Nestled in Colorado\u2019s Sunshine Canyon about six miles northwest of Boulder is the Sunshine Springs Tea House, a traditional Japanese tea hut that melds with nature seamlessly. It was built to be a sanctuary that honors tea traditions while drawing people together for respite and community. Lopa<\/p>\nRelated Posts:<\/h3>\n
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