Private Tea Sittings

Tea Ceremony / Sittings

  All sittings are by APPOINTMENT ONLY.

To make an appointment simply click on the "CONTACT" page button at the main menu of this website, fill out the information requested and hit "send".  

 MJ Greenmountain

MJ has been studying and engaging in Zen & Tea as a Spiritual Practice for 27 years. This is a rare glimpse into the world of "tea scholars" and traditional practitioners, where attention to crucial details are adhered to, and a sense of depth and authenticity pervade the space. Sessions are accentuated with poems, tea history, Zen stories; they’re inspiring and often profound experiences. He serves tea with deep intention, yet meets guests where there are at, whether seasoned practitioner or total newbie. He helps people feel relaxed and comfortable, and makes his Tea accessible to all.

MJ studied with an Elder Master (in the SF Bay Area) for 7 years (2001-2007), and has traveled extensively to the Far East since 2010. He continues to study with Masters in Taiwan, Japan and Hong Kong. His harmonizing of Tea with Meditation has two pillars: a singular Tea focus on Puerh, and a spiritual Tea practice founded on teachings of Bodhidharma, the legendary founder of ancient “Ch’an” Buddhism in China, which gave rise to the continuing saga known as "Zen.” MJ carries a lineage rarely experience in the West, and has received historic transmissions, and shares them with students and guests.

He has been teaching Zen and Tea for over 15 years, and has a cadre of individual students that visit him regularly, many of whom are known Tea servers in the greater US tea community and West Coast Tea Scene.

ABOUT THE SERVICE

All tea service is conducted in a stand-alone private tea house on the Jade Valley property. Outdoor Service is also possible, on the Jade Valley property, in Nature, for added fee. Service includes use of incense, music, hand-drawn mountain spring water, and rare tea from MJ’s specific collection, originating from mostly private collectors in Taiwan, and Yunnan China. The teas are camellia sinensis (Puerh, black tea, green tea, Wulong Tea, White Tea, Etc.) and no other herbal tea is used (i.e camomille, rose hip, mint, etc) which are technically not “tea” but herbal infusions ( “tesannes” - ‘tay-zahns’ ). The word ‘Tea’ is problematically used these days as a catch-all phrase for any hot herbal beverage, which can confuse people - and certainly does.

In all cases, these are private, digital-free uninterrupted experiences. Guests can enjoy the resonance of the space with ease and comfort, full focus, without distractions, amidst the very quiet, pristine beauty and sactuary of the Jade Valley location (one hour from Sacramento, 1.2 hours from Sac airport -SMF- and 2.5 hours from SF Bay Area). Located in Nevada City, just 5 minutes from Briar Patch Food Co-op, 8 minutes from downtown Nevada City.

All Water used is personally hand-drawn Mountain Spring Water from local Sierra Nevada sources; this may also include Mt. Shasta water drawn from the Spring at the Sacramento River headwaters, when available. Strict use of antique Japanese “tetsubin” (iron kettle) for water heating helps condition the water appropriately.

Teas served are taken from MJ’s own Private Tea Collection, built over 20 years of sourcing, travel, and personal connections to private collectors in Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Yunnan, China.  Many of these Teas are the rarest of rare, and extremely limited amounts. Depending upon availability, tea can be purchased at the end of sessions.

For higher level sittings, vegetarian Japanese Cuisine will be prepared and served. This requires minimum of 10 days advance notice to organize proper resources for the meal.

Quality of Tea, wares, incense and even scroll hanging choices advance with each next level. In the highest levels, museum quality wares, and the rarest of incense will be used.

6 Guest maximum unless otherwise stated or arranged.

 TEA offerings

I  Entry Level sitting 
2 person minimum • $50 ea (or one person=$80)
one hour 

II   Initiate 
2 person minimum • $75ea (or one person =$120)
1.5 hours  

III  Tea Lover 
2 > 4 Guests • $120ea (or one person = $160)
2 hours  (simple tea snacks included)

Iv  PRACTITIONER
2 > 4 guests• $180ea (or one person = $250)  
2.5 hours+ SIMPLE japanese meal SERVED

v   TEA & ZEN mini RETREAT
2 > 4 guests • $180 ea (two person minimum)
4 hrs • MULTI course japanese meal served

>> High-End airbnb space available for overnight stays: https://abnb.me/nuSP72zc5Bb <<                                                                 VI  Old Tea Monk
One person • free / No charge
No time limit subject to qualification

**PLEASE INQUIRE ABOUT CATERING TO YOUR LOCATION/EVENT.  This is a very unique offering that can add an outstanding element to your event or celebration. A whole Tea “Zone” can be created for special events. However, this is not like a festival booth. It is more akin to a sacred space, for engaging in this world-class level, ancient, beautiful, profound ritual experience.