When I was in Japan, I was fortunate enough to take part in a tea ceremony.  I don’t think I understood much of what I was doing then, beyond experiencing the simplicity and elegance of the occasion.  Recently, I ran across The Tea Ceremony, by Seno and Sendo Tanaka, and this beautiful book both brought back the memory and filled me in with many of the nuances I’d missed.  It occurred to me that 3 concepts from the tea ceremony in particular have application to public speaking and are good advice for Western minds trying to improve their own – and their audience’s – experience. 

Lesson One:  Keep It Simple.  The essence of the tea ceremony is bound up in the word that describes it, wabi, which literally means ‘loneliness’ or ‘desolation’, and refers to the simplicity and tranquility that should permeate everything associated with the ceremony.  In the same way, ultimately, public speaking is just about a conversation between people.  If we focus on that, then it doesn’t have to get too complicated.

Lesson Two:  Involve Your Creativity.  The Japanese concept here is hataraki, which means infusing the traditional forms of the ceremony with your own creativity, little touches that keep the ceremony from becoming stiff and static.  In the same way, great public speaking respects the forms and traditions, but brings the speaker’s unique differences to the mix, keeping it interesting.  Trust yourself and bring your own perspective to the occasion.    

Lesson Three:  Quit While You’re Ahead.   The Japanese concept is taru-o-shiru – ‘to know what is enough’ and it means that it’s OK to be imperfect.  If you insist on perfection, you’ll add an element of stress to the occasion that will make everyone nervous.  Instead, accept that you’re human and your efforts will be imperfect.  Let it go at that.  Public speaking is the same way – the 80-20 rule always applies.  Do your best and forget the rest. 

Overall, the tea ceremony is all about the host setting the scene for the guests, keeping it simple, comfortable, and a release from the stresses of everyday life.  Wouldn’t it be wonderful if all speakers could do the same!

(And if only I had known that when I was in Japan, I might have been able to enjoy the tea ceremony more and worried less about making a wrong move.)