Our days can be so busy,
So much so that we often forget to pause,
If even for a few minutes.
It can be difficult to pause without an anchor or a point of distraction,
So I have a suggestion.
This may feel strange at first.
This is an invitation to awaken your senses while also taking a few minutes to be in the present moment.
Have you ever taken the time to really appreciate a warm drink?
Have you ever stopped to really take it all in?
This meditation is something a little different.
I'm asking you for a few moments to really tune into your warm drink and maybe even by the end of the next few moments you could offer it and yourself gratitude for showing up for this practice today and gratitude for pausing for a few moments in the busyness of day-to-day life.
So,
Grabbing your warm drink of choice now,
Doesn't matter what it is,
That's entirely up to you.
Any variation of tea,
Cacao,
Even warm water and lemon,
It doesn't matter.
Taking a few deep breaths now and as you do,
Begin to notice your surroundings.
Are there any sounds or noises around you?
Do they sound nearby or in the distance?
Allowing any noises to enter your eardrums without distracting you from your practice.
Noticing now the surface you are sitting on.
A chair,
Bed,
Cushion or floor.
Does this surface feel hard or soft against your body?
Does this surface feel supportive of your practice?
Taking a moment here to adjust your posture or sitting position in any way you need to now.
Bringing your awareness now to your warm drink.
Noticing firstly its warmth against your hands.
What parts of your hands are feeling its warmth and how does this feel?
Comforting,
Uncomfortable or maybe just right?
Is there steam rising from your cup?
If there is,
Does it make any shapes or swirls as it rises into the air?
Perhaps a mesmerizing sight like the smoke from a candle.
If you wish to do so,
Taking a moment before taking a drink to take a long deep inhale and really drawing your attention to how your drink feels as it enters your nose.
How the smell feels.
How the steam feels.
Tuning into the sensation of touch.
Does it feel uncomfortable as it enters your nostrils or perhaps nourishing and comforting?
Can you begin to feel its warmth entering your body?
Spending a moment here appreciating how your senses are working hard now.
Perhaps you're drawn mostly to its smell.
What does it smell like?
Whether pleasant or unpleasant.
Noticing without judgment what your senses are inviting you to experience.
I'm not going to tell you when to take a drink but I am going to invite you now while tuning into your own will to enjoy your beverage for the next few moments.
Taking into account how it feels as you drink it.
How does its warmth feel against your lips,
Your tongue and your throat as it travels down your body?
With each mouthful noticing each of these areas.
Taking small sips or large mouthfuls but paying particular attention to what you want to do and how you want to drink it.
Perhaps placing one hand on your throat or your stomach.
And spending a moment visualizing the drink traveling down your body.
There are many many ways to enjoy your drink.
So tuning into its smell,
Its taste,
Its warmth.
You may wish to ask your drink if it has any messages for you today.
You may notice that a memory of a loved one or an event or an emotion is awoken within you as you drink.
You may wish to keep the experience entirely physical.
If this is the case with each sip you take notice a little more the physical sensations you are experiencing.
It is entirely up to you how you experience your warm drink today.
All I ask is that you are inviting your senses to awaken with each taste,
Each smell and if it happens allow whatever wishes to arise in this moment to do so.
It is safe to allow this pause and it is safe to welcome any thoughts,
Emotions or memories.
With all of this in mind or you may have your own way of enjoying your warm drink today,
Spend a few moments now with your drink.
Bringing your attention now away from the physical just for a moment and looking inwards to perhaps notice if you feel like offering yourself some gratitude.
Gratitude for taking this opportunity to pause.
Gratitude for anything that arose for you today and gratitude for your drink.
Placing a hand on any part of your body now if you wish to do so.
Thank you for showing up.
Thank you for allowing this pause.
Thank you for nourishing my body and warming my heart.
Thank you to my body and thank you to my drink.
If at any time you find it difficult to take a pause in your busy day returning to this meditation will occupy opportunity to simply return to your physical body.
Offer yourself and your beverage a little gratitude.
Sometimes it is the simplest acts in your busy day can help you return.
Enjoy the rest of your day and thank you for pausing with me today.
