It’s hard to find time to add one more thing to our jam-packed schedules. When meditation is on the list of things to do, it’s often prioritized as last.
The fix? Build mindfulness into activities that we do anyways.
One of these activities is drinking tea or coffee. In fact, anything we do repetitively can be looked as the physical representation of meditation, as long as we guide the ritual with presence.
The next time you find yourself with a toasty beverage, try not to rush the process. For once, do not slurp it back while filing through your emails.
Slow down. Feel the weight and temperature of the cup that you hold.
Smell the aroma of the tea, several times. Let each deep breath through the nostrils be filled with wonderful fragrance.
Let yourself feel like a sommelier of this cup as you let the rest of the world melt away.
Feel the way your mouth and tongue anticipates the taste. Let your lips curl over the mouth of the cup and feel the gentle tilt of the head as you take your first sip.
Feel where on your tongue and in your mouth you have the most flavour. Let the liquid cool in your mouth and hear the sound of your swallow.
Whether you continue this meditation through the whole cup or just a few sips, this will anchor your day and help you to become more aware.
Rinse (your cup) and repeat again tomorrow.
