Tea & Thought

#11. Understanding Sleep — Part II

In the previous Tea & Thought session, we explored the foundations of sleep science: what happens in the brain while we sleep, the roles of different sleep stages, and some of the most common reasons people wake up feeling tired despite spending enough time in bed. But understanding how sleep works is only the first step. In Part II, we will examine how everyday habits, lifestyle choices, and the latest research can help us sleep better—and, ultimately, live better.

#10. Macedonia and the Hellenistic Age

In the mid-fourth century BCE, Macedonia was a kingdom on the northern frontier of the Greek world. Compared with the great Greek city-states, it was not regarded as a major power. The kingdom faced numerous political and military challenges, as well as constant pressure in its relations with neighboring states. In this session, we will trace Macedonia's remarkable transformation and explore the rise of Philip II, the extraordinary conquests of Alexander the Great, and the emergence of the Hellenistic Age, when Greek culture spread across vast regions and blended with the traditions of Egypt, Persia, and the wider Near East.

#9. Reflections Beyond Right and Wrong

We live in a remarkable age. Never before have we had access to so much information. In just a few minutes of scrolling through our phones, we encounter countless voices offering advice on how to live, how to love, how to raise children, how to build a career, or how to become a better version of ourselves. In this session of Tea & Thought, we will explore these timeless questions through the lenses of philosophy, ethics, and everyday life. Rather than seeking simple answers, we will examine how different traditions have understood morality—and why reflecting on these questions may be just as important as answering them.

#8. Understanding Sleep — Part I

Why can some people function well on just six hours of sleep, while others still feel exhausted after eight? What actually happens in the brain while we sleep? How can better sleep improve mental well-being and reduce stress? And what factors have the greatest impact on sleep quality? Join us for Tea & Thought as we explore the fascinating science of sleep and discover how understanding this essential part of our lives can help us live healthier, calmer, and more balanced lives.

#7. Greece, Rome, and the World We Live In

In previous sessions, we explored a deeply Greek vision of life—a world that encouraged people to live fully, pursue beauty, and strive to become the best versions of themselves. It was a world shaped by the ideals of eudaimonia and aretē, where personal freedom was celebrated as a fundamental virtue. In this session, we will trace the transition from the Greek world to the Roman one, exploring how the values of liberty gradually gave way to the demands of law, stability, and empire—and how this transformation continues to shape the societies we live in today.

#6. Japanese Aesthetics in Heian Literature

Japanese aesthetics took on its most distinctive form in the court literature of the Heian period (794–1185), where the appreciation of beauty was more than a matter of taste—it was a reflection of one's capacity for refined perception and emotional sensitivity. In this session, we will explore how Heian literature gave shape to a uniquely Japanese aesthetic sensibility—one that continues to influence Japanese culture, art, and ways of seeing the world to this day.

#5. ON LIVING A GOOD LIFE

What does it truly mean to live a good life? In a world that is constantly moving faster, we rarely pause to reflect on this question. We simply keep going—yet seldom ask ourselves whether we are genuinely living, or merely existing.

This week's Tea & Thought offers a small, welcoming space to share a cup of tea and a conversation—not to be taught, nor to win an argument, but to think together, listen with curiosity, and exchange different perspectives.

#4. Eudaimonia: Virtue, Honor, and A Fulfilling Life

Following the collapse of the Bronze Age and the Greek "Dark Ages," Greek civilization emerged and flourished, leaving behind an extraordinary legacy in philosophy, art, politics, and the way people understood human life. It became one of the most influential civilizations in shaping Western thought and society. In this session, we will explore what eudaimonia truly meant in ancient Greek philosophy, and why this timeless idea continues to inspire discussions about virtue, purpose, and what it means to live a life well lived.

#3. Ancient Greece: Culture, Art, and Philosophy

In this session, we continue our journey back to one of the most influential foundations of Western civilization—Ancient Greece during the Classical period. It was an era when people began asking profound questions about beauty, society, and the nature of human existence. The harmonious proportions of Classical architecture, the idealized sculptures celebrating the human form, and, above all, the emergence of philosophers such as Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle laid the intellectual foundations of Western thought—foundations that continue to shape the way we understand the world today.

#2. Ancient Greece and the Stories That Endure

Ancient Greece left us more than marble columns and magnificent temples. It left us stories—about gods and mortals, fate and freedom, and questions that have never ceased to matter. It is the birthplace of Western philosophy, of tragedy, mythology, and the dialogues that transformed the way humanity thinks about the world.

And in many ways, Ancient Greece is still with us today: in the stories we tell, in the questions we continue to ask, and in one of life's simplest moments—sitting together over a cup of tea, taking our time, and sharing a conversation about the deeper dimensions of human life.

#1. The Flow of History and Philosophy

Whether we are interested in philosophy or not, our everyday lives are still shaped by ideas that emerged centuries ago. These ideas were born in specific historical contexts and, over time, became woven into the fabric of society.

Even today, although many of us live in Asia, countless aspects of our lives continue to be influenced by Western civilization—from individualism and consumerism to nationalism. This session traces the historical and intellectual development of the West, from Ancient Greece and Rome through the rise of Christianity, the European empires, and into the modern world.