Tea Meditation

Tea

Drinking tea has been a common use for most individuals when it comes to either trying to get the caffeine boost in the day or to calm and relax the mind. Throughout the history of drinking tea, it has been a powerful and comforting ritual. It helps to recentre and calm your mind, connects with people together and brings stillness and ease into your day.

There are many benefits from drinking tea such as increased antioxidants and reduced risk high blood pressure which brings a powerful emotional effect to us too. According to some studies done in Yale, experiencing physical warmth promotes interpersonal warmth as well. This can come in the form of receiving a cup of hot tea or a form of gift.

Meditation

Meditation is very similar to working out, the difference is that it trains the mind instead of the body. It helps us to better understand the mind instead of turning it off by achieving mindfulness (ability to be fully engaged in the present moment). It takes time for one to be in full meditation mode as it requires consistent practice to learn and be comfortable with the skill. This can help to relax and calm the mind from the busy world too.

What is Tea Meditation?

Tea meditation requires one to be mindful and present during the full aspect of the tea ritual. The tea ritual will involve the processes of making the tea, drinking the tea and being aware of the effects on your mind and body. It can be practiced at any time of the day – Morning (starting the day with presence), Afternoon (increased focus and clarity) and Night (calm and peaceful sleep).

What are the benefits of Tea Meditation?

Tea meditation bring many benefits be it physical and emotional which includes:

• Decreased stress and anxiety
• A peaceful beginning, break or end of your day
• Increased sense of calm and focus
• All the health benefits of drinking tea
• Mindfulness benefits such as improved sleep and mental health

How to do a Tea Meditation?

1. Choose your tea. Choose the type of tea based on your current mood and your mental and physical needs. It can be a tea which gives an energizing boost or something with a calming effect to soothe your stress.
2. Select a cup with care. Choose a cup which has significant meaning to you or a cup which makes you feel happy when using it as it has a special meaning to it.
3. Notice the water boiling. While waiting for the water to boil, be in a comfortable position and start to pace your breathing. Breathe deeply and watch and listen to the boiling water. Enjoy the slow process from the water starting to boil, steam escaping the kettle and the shrilling sound of the kettle’s whistle.
4. Watch the tea transition. Watch the colour change in your cup as you pour the water into the cup with the tea bag. If you prefer your tea with cream, milk, sugar or honey, add them with intention and consider carefully how much you need them.
5. Savour each sip. Enjoy every sip of the tea and the warmth the cup is in your hands. Feel the tea slowly glide through your body as you swallow the first sip and feel the nourishment it is giving you.
6. Enjoy the process. Continue the process of drinking tea and pace yourself. Upon finishing the tea, you will notice that there is a temperature change as time passes.
7. Seal your practice with gratitude. As you have come to the end of the tea meditation process, take a moment to show gratitude for all the people who have put in work to grow, harvest and package to bring you this tea.

Credits

https://blog.alomoves.com/mindfulness/try-this-peaceful-tea-meditation-to-bring-comfort-to-your-day

https://theteacupoflife.com/2020/03/tea-meditation-for-beginners.html