A Meditation While Brushing Your Teeth

Some kiddies are taught to go through their ABCs while they brush their teeth to make sure they’re spending enough time on oral hygiene. You may have even seen those toothbrushes that play a song for them.

However, as adults, tooth brushing becomes one of the many things we rush through. Let’s use our tooth brushing time as an opportunity to bring meditation into our lives. Meditation is merely allowing what is, and paying attention. We can certainly do this while bleary-eyed in the bathroom.

The next time you squeeze toothpaste on your toothbrush, let that be the beginning of your meditation, as if you had heard the sound of a gong.

Start to pay attention to the sensation of the bristles on each tooth. If you normally brush fast, try slowing it down. If you are normally slow, speed it up.

Try different directions with your toothbrush. Notice what teeth are easy to get to and which pose more of a challenge.

As with any mindfulness exercise, do not judge yourself as you go. Just try to be in the moment.

Every time you find yourself trying to hurry, treat it as you would a thought in a seated meditation: acknowledge it, let it pass, and go back to brushing your teeth. For two minutes or more, try to focus on this activity.

As Thich Nhat Hahn says, “Each minute, each second of life is a miracle.” Even the monotonous tasks of life can take on new meaning with the perspective provided by meditation.