We will continue our discussion of how to teach ourselves. In this part 2 I will explain why I found it necessary to learn to teach myself and in part 3 I will discuss ideas on how we can teach ourselves. I hope you find the ideas useful. These ideas came about because of my own experience studying Japanese Tea Ceremony. In many cases we are not allowed to see, much less do the tea procedures that are beyond our level. Teachers decide which procedure you will be allowed to do, and how many times you will have to do it before being taught the next higher one.
At the lower level (there are about 6) we need to know 16 different tea procedures. For most of those 16 procedures however there is a summer and a winter version. Additionally, for each of those 16, the movements will vary depending on the shelf you are using, and there are many, many types of shelves. You do the math. I found that practicing once a week meant that I would have to wait years before getting a chance to do all the 16 tea procedures in my level and to be able to do them well. Not to mention even more years before I get a chance to go on to the next level and beyond where the procedures become quite interesting.
To ensure that I not only get a chance to study the 16 tea procedures in a much faster time, but that I master each one as well, I started teaching myself. I started acquiring the utensils I needed a little at a time, until I had enough to practice the 16 procedures that I need to know. I relied on online resources, books etc to learn the order of the movements for each procedure. (For techniques I need corrections from my teacher or someone more senior than I). For tea procedures that I am not allowed to do or see in my tea class, I ask my senior (senpai) to teach me whenever he can.
I now practice at home usually three days per week and on each day, I do tea procedures 3 times. Sometimes I do 3 different ones, sometimes I do one twice and another once to make a total of 3. I have learned and improved so much by practicing at home. My progress has been rather quick and I am satisfied. Best of all, I can do any tea procedure I like, even if it is above my level, because at home I don’t need permission to do so. Naturally I haven’t shared this with my teachers.
The tips in part 3, have all helped me in some way. Some of them are priceless. Please continue to read and don’ t forget to share your comments.
