By Heidi Kyser

Although not the first to use “Cha Dao” in the title of a tea book, author Solala Towler does take a unique approach to tea in his soon-to-be released volume bearing that name.

“Cha Dao: The Way of Tea, Tea as a Way of Life” is an examination of the ceremonious tea drinker’s lifestyle through the lens of Daoism. Singing Dragon, an imprint of Jessica Kingsley Publishers, is publishing the book, which carries a cover price of $16.95.

It is not Towler’s first book, and his previous titles offer a glimpse into what’s going on with this one. Towler is an instructor of Daoist meditation and Qigong who has published nine books on these subjects over the last 20 years.

Therefore it’s not surprising that “Cha Dao” is as much about Daoism as about tea. In its 17 chapters and 164 pages, the author weaves a primer in Chinese and Japanese tea drinking traditions out of stories and lessons from classical Eastern philosophy.