A Ritual: a coffee artist
Actually, it doesn’t need to be coffee, that is just the medium that I tend to use the most. Really, you can use anything at all.
To live a ‘mindful life’ you don’t need to spend hours upon hours dedicated to meditation. Instead, make the everyday, mundane, or overlooked tasks as rituals that can bring you delightfully into the present moment. This means that you get many opportunities through your day to come back to you. I’m pretty sure that this has saved me many times, especially in those newborn days when the brain is a little wonky from lack of sleep! It’s also hugely helpful when I feel wired and stressed out.
This activity is a great tool for those that are just starting out on their mindful adventure. A little taste test so to speak! So, here is what to do for the most simple of coffee rituals (FYI. This is a very condensed version, there is a much longer, slower, version that is particularly delicious that I teach in my courses but a perfectly good example).
THE RITUAL
Step 1: Start by putting all tech out of the way. You don’t want an interruption, this is a just a few moments of your day that are just for you!
Step 2: Now, find your spot. Ideally this will be one that you won’t be hugely disrupted in, but it’s also important to be realistic. I love sitting down at the beach with a takeaway coffee or in the garden.
Step 3: Now, start with your drink. You can go with one that you’ve made for yourself or one that you have had made for you as I mentioned. Hold it in your hands and pause.
What can you feel? The temperature, the sensations… What thoughts come to your mind?
Can you hear anything? Is there any sound at all. Get close. What thoughts come to your mind?
Now, what do you see? Colours, textures? What thoughts come to your mind?
What can you smell? Lift the cup up to your nose and take some big deep breaths in. Breathe it in fully. What thoughts come to your mind?
Now for the big moment… savour this, take it slow. Start with the smallest of tastes, the tiniest sip. What are the flavours? What memories, thoughts do they bring up? Now, go a little deeper with your next sip. Go to the taste behind the first flavours.
Now, allow yourself to slowly drink your drink. Asking each of your senses what they notice. Allowing your thoughts to come and go. Noticing the type of thoughts, the quality of thoughts. What is showing up? This is a great way to notice how you are truly doing.
This is a lovely tool to do throughout your day and the best part is that you can really make it your ritual. The only rule, is to only drink your drink! Don’t multitask.
So, enjoy that delicious drink and let me know how you find this! You can reply here or tag me on insta! #consciousme
Kathryn x