Meet Dr. Byron Henry, an oral surgeon, who recently moved to German Village with his family.  Learn about his passion for Tea and his wellness business, Inner Steep, a Tea culture opportunity for our neighborhood and greater Columbus.
Beck Street

My interest in Tea began during a visit to Nepal in 1999.  While trekking through the mountains, there were Tea Huts all along the trail that were at places we could sleep each night.  I found at the end of a hard day of trekking through the Himalayan mountains, a cup of Tea was amazing to soothe the soul in ways I did not even understand at that point.

​During the 2 week trek, I would wait each day to get to my Tea to soothe and end my day in an incredible way.  

​Upon return to the United States, my journey of Tea continued.  I began to learn about all of the varieties of Tea and how each one is processed in different ways yet come from the very same Leaf.  

I  went forward on my quest to understand Tea and everything I could learn about it over the next 20 years. What I did not realize is that Tea had been calling me since it found me back in 1999.  As time progressed over the years, I began to realize that Tea was soothing my soul during hard times, during fast times and during emotional times.  I was uncovering the medicinal and spiritual side of Tea. 

Over the last 5 years, I have been practicing Tea as a way of life, CHAO DAO, as it is called...The Way of TEA.  By using Tea in ceremony, it allows me to understand myself, nature and others in life.

​Through the simplicity of the Tea leaves, water and a bowl, I learn to go inward in silence to uncover and listen to the Present Moment.  

​It has been a true healing journey for me and continues to be a daily practice for myself and I hope to offer this sitting meditation to others. 
​
The Tea used in ceremony comes from very old trees in China and Taiwan. 

​Tea is the second most common beverage consumed in the world and is mass produced to fit the need and desire for this beverage throughout the world.

The Tea I use in ceremony is not of this variety but rather grown by small organic farms in Asia.  It is known as Living Tea as it carries with it the spirit, energy and vibration of all that it takes to protect and produce with care, love and compassion from the many small farms that cultivate these ancient trees.  It is a beautiful part of Nature that has been revered and protected for thousands of years and we have the grace and privilege to share this beautiful medicinal leaf with others that are open to receive all of the energy and love it brings with it in each cup that is consumed.  

I offer Tea in ceremony and meditation as an offering of stillness to appreciate the present moment, nature and the importance of community and connection.  It is a way to share leaves, water and a bowl to remind us of the incredibly important present moment.  

The present moment is a transition between the past and the future and is guided by the past and provides a road for the future.  I have found the ability to be still through the simplicity of a Tea ceremony to be a gateway to my own healing in life and learning to just simply be still in a life that is not so easy all of the time.  This offering is something I feel called to give to others that may be called to share the leaf in finding silence, stillness and healing. 

Advertisement

The ceremonies are held at my home in German Village, known as the Innersteep Hut, and I provide the ceremony around the Columbus area in different venues that share the spirit of the meditation.  

Our Tea ceremony available times can be found on Instagram at @innersteep or at our website https://innersteep.squarespace.com/tea-ceremonies.  The website also provides information regarding the ceremony and educates you about Tea.

​WHO          Inner Steep -  The Way of Tea with Dr. Byron Henry      Issue XXVII