IS IT TIME TO TASTE YOUR TEA?
My favourite ‘do it anywhere’ mindfulness technique.
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Hi %%FIRST_NAME%%,
Do you ever get to the end of a cup of tea (or whatever else you’re drinking) with no recollection of drinking it?
Or do you find yourself drinking your tea, whilst thinking about everything else you have to do?
Does that actually get any of it done?
Thought not…!
Today I am inviting you to taste your tea.
It’s a classic exercise that you can do to practice mindfulness. And the brilliant thing is that it doesn’t take up much time, yet it brings huge benefits.
The next time you make yourself a drink (hot, cold, it doesn’t matter), I invite you to:
- Sit down with it.
Don’t drink it on the run.
. - Before you pick it up and drink it, actually look at it.
Really drag all of your awareness into the process of seeing what you see.
Notice the glass, cup or mug it’s in.
Really see how the light reflects off it.
Allow yourself to see the textures. There might be steam of ice-cold bubbles. Notice what you notice, in minute detail.
. - Pick it up and notice the tactile feel of the cup or glass.
How does it feel in your hands? Perhaps there is a warmth or a coolness?
Is it smooth? How heavy is it?
Really allow your full awareness to rest in your fingertips for a few moments as you hold the drink.
. - Before you drink the drink, take a sniff and allow yourself to become aware of the aroma.
Spend a moment allowing the smell to fill your awareness, letting your concentration gently rest on your drink.
. - As you start to drink, sipping gently or gulping, it’s up to you, allow yourself to really taste your drink.
Taste your tea, taste your water, whatever it is you’re drinking. Experience the sensation over your tongue and your taste buds.
. - And, as you swallow, allow yourself to hear the sounds.
Hear your swallowing. Perhaps there are other sounds, too?
Be completely aware of and fully present to the experience of ‘tasting your tea’.
At the end of this process, take a moment to reflect. What did you notice?
How do you feel now?
How could you play with this mindfulness exercise, during your day?
Once you are used to this, it takes no time at all. Your cup of tea (or whatever) becomes an unconscious anchor to help you remember to be mindful – to come back to the ‘now’ – to experience life, rather than your Monkey Mind’s story of life. Even if you are talking to someone or working on your computer as you drink your tea, every time you pick up your mug for another sip you can return to that calm place of being mindful, even if just for a few moments.
Many people find this technique is an amazing way to de-stress, to feel calmer and to feel more grounded and centred.
Normally we would make a cup of tea in a hurry, get to the end of the cup and then wonder where it went. We drink unconsciously, we eat unconsciously, we live unconsciously, as though we are half-asleep.
Practising this mindful interaction with everyday experiences is the fastest way to learn mindfulness – and change your life.
It’s a fast track on your meditation journey, because you are constantly bringing yourself back into the physical body and allowing yourself to focus and concentrate, in a relaxed way. Tasting your tea doesn’t actually take any longer than drinking a cup of tea normally would. Yet it has so many benefits for you!
One of the knock-on effects of this kind of practice is that you won’t lose your keys again. When we do things mindfully, we remember where we put the keys; we don’t leave jobs half done; it’s easier to concentrate; we stop running on adrenalin. Life becomes so much easier, more flowing, less stressful.
Mindful awareness – being present in the moment and actually experiencing life- is an amazingly simple technique to transform how you experience your life. Regular practice will reduce your stress levels, helping you to feel calmer and happier.
Of course, tasting your tea is just an example. This technique can be applied to any area of your life. ‘Tasting your tea’ can be used as a reminder to choose to return to the present moment and to truly experience life.
Who would have thought that the simple act of tasting your tea could change your life?
How about sharing your experiences, once you have tried this one?
https://www.clarejosa.com/forum/28-day-meditation-challenge-online-course-1/time-to-taste-your-tea/
I hope you’re enjoying this week’s mindfulness meditation.
If you have any general insights or questions for week 3, please take a moment to pop by the online forum and share them.
I hope you’re enjoying this week’s mindfulness meditation.
Day 16 Affirmation
Today, in this moment, I choose to ‘taste my tea’.
Namaste,
Clare
P. S. Tomorrow you get the chance to discover a magic wand, to help you give up worrying, for good!
P.P.S. The key links you need for week three are:
Online Forum:
https://www.clarejosa.com/forum/28-day-meditation-challenge-online-course-1/
Week 3 Meditation:
www.28daymeditationchallenge.com/home/#week3