Stop and imagine a moment when there were no worries about the future and no regrets about the past. What would that moment be like? When I sit alone with my cup of tea—it’s only me and tea. It is the one moment in the day when life is simple and I feel free.
Tea is simple, delicate, and pure. If we take the time to stay present in the moment, then all the complexity of life, mostly invented in our minds, can cease to exist. And can that one peaceful moment while sipping a warm and soothing beverage set the tone for the rest of the day?
Throughout history, drinking tea has been a calm and comforting ritual for many cultures. It helps calm and center your mind, connects people together, and invites a moment of peace and stillness into your day.
While we are probably aware of the physical benefits of tea — including a boost of antioxidants and polyphenols — drinking tea has powerful emotional benefits as well.
Making time for a tea ritual each day is as comforting as meditation. According to Wikipedia, meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing the mind on a particular object, thought, or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state. You can elevate your daily tea drinking ritual by incorporating mindfulness. Being mindful during your tea routine, whether it is a beginning, break, or end to your day, can decrease stress and anxiety by drawing you into the present moment.
The steps to a tea meditation are simple. Choose a tea that your body needs. Beginning the day? Select a sweet and invigorating blend with a touch of caffeine to gently awaken your senses. If you are settling into bed, then choose an herbal blend with soothing herbs to calm your body and mind. Select a cup with care, one that speaks to you and lightens your mood. As the water comes to a boil, deepen your breath and notice the sound of the water. Carefully pour the water into your cup and watch the color change as the leaves bloom and open up, releasing their flavors and aromas. Savor each sip with focused intention. Feel the warmth of the cup in your hands and breathe in deeply to enjoy the aroma. Sip slowly and intentionally and feel the tea nourish you.
As your tea ritual and meditation comes to a close, take a moment to express gratitude to yourself for showing up, gratitude for the effort to nourish your body and mind with a healthful and beneficial drink and routine. Express gratitude for this present moment of peace and solitude- for this moment is your life.
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