Tea meditation
Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves – slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future. Live the actual moment. Only this moment is life. ―Thích Nhất Hạnh
👥 Serves: 1 person, 2-10 people
🎚 Difficulty: Easy
⏳ Total time: 11-30 minutes
🥣 Ingredients: Boiling water, teapot and cup, tea leaves
🤓 Wholebeing Domains: Awareness, Positive Emotion, Rest, Ritualising
💪 Wholebeing Skills: Contemplation, Contentment, Hosting yourself, Mindfulness, Pausing, Presence, Relaxation, Ritualising, Serenity, Slowing down
Tea meditation
📝 Description
Reaching a mindful state of being by savouring tea.
The simple ritual of making and drinking tea has been celebrated as a source of energy, light, and alignment since ancient times. But due to lack of awareness and appreciation, we tend to overlook the power of the humble leaf. Tea meditation is a simple practice that will help you pause, reconnect, reboot, and embrace life.
Your morning and evening cup of tea can easily transcend into your modern day meditation. It’s easy. So, pick your favourite spot in the house or office, light some incense and put some relaxing music on. Maybe light up a candle. Practise mindfully and experience how 20 minutes of your day will transport you to another realm and way of life, with the oneness of man, Nature and spirit – the very purpose of tea.
👣 Steps
Step 1 – Boil water (5’)
Start with boiling water for your tea. Simply watch the water boil. Empty your mind and be present in the moment. Embrace the process. Be patient. Watch the bubbles go from tiny, large to rolling. Inhale the steam. Let it remind you to breathe deep – inhale and exhale. Let the process clear your lungs and mind.
Step 2 – Select the tea leaves (2’)
Choose the kind of tea depending on your mood and taste buds preference every day. Feel the texture of the leaves, watch the size, colour and shape. Bite them if you want. Smell and absorb the aroma. And add them to your glass teapot. We prefer glass teaware for the visual splendour they offer.
Step 3 – Steeping and infusing (5’)
Pour hot water into your glass teapot. Admire the dry leaves unfurl, expand, dance, float, sink and come to life. Appreciate the cloud of colour from nature spreading out in your teapot, turning the water into tea. Notice the steam wafting up and smell the aroma. Let the leaves steep for 2 to 5 minutes depending on the kind of tea you are making. Relax and breathe easy.
Step 4 – Drink your tea (10’)
Just sit with your tea for 2 minutes now and let it cool slightly. Look at the rich colour of your tea. Hold the cup in between your hands and bring it close to your face. Inhale deeply. Feel the warm invigorating aroma awakening your senses and take you into a beautiful journey. To your favourite place. Exhale and while you do so, empty your mind of any thoughts. Sip slowly. Swirl the tea around your mouth and feel the taste of it. Notice the flavours. Repeat slowly. Focus on the tea, enjoy the moment and connect with yourself. Find inner peace. Life is beautiful.