The benefits of mediation are renowned. Practitioners tout the sense of peacefulness and relaxation that comes with regular meditation, and now a recent study even shows that meditation can change the underlying structure of your brain, perhaps explaining some of those benefits.
So why don’t we do it?
First off, it’s intimidating. Also, the pace at which our lives move is fast, really fast, and most of us don’t want to stop and be still. Doing nothing feels seriously unnatural, and don’t even get me started on chanting!
Thankfully, you can get similar benefits from virtually any activity that’s somewhat repetitive in nature and that requires a small amount of your attention. Some examples include running, walking, knitting or needlepoint, washing dishes, watching a roaring fire, and now… even drinking your morning cup of coffee.
‘The Cup of Coffee Method’ is my personal method of meditation. It helps anchor my day – whatever that might bring – in the peace and relaxation of that morning ritual. And, it’s something I already do wherever I am. Now, it’s just better, calmer.
Coffee at Shiv Niwas Palace Hotel, Udaipur, India
Here are the details:
The Coffee Cup Method
Grab a cup of coffee. Find a comfortable spot to sit. And, then drink.
That’s it.
Do nothing else while there is still coffee in the cup. Just drink it.
Don’t read the newspaper or surf the internet.
Don’t figure out what you’re going to wear today.
Don’t worry about the day to come.
If you get distracted, and you will, just look at the coffee in the cup and take another sip.
Think about how good the warmth of the cup feels on in the palm of your hands.
Taste it, and think about how the strong flavor awakens your senses and how it will help fuel your day.
Let the outside world slip away.
All the matters is the moment and the coffee.
Whatever comes will come. The day will be whatever it will be. But, let the cup of coffee anchor you in this moment here and now.
A Few Thoughts
Personally, I find this meditation best when practiced in early in the morning with a strong Colombian coffee, skim milk, and a little sugar. The natural quiet of that time of the day is an easy fit, and it helps me focus.
I also like the limited nature of it. It’s over in a matter of minutes when the cup is empty, and I only do it with my first cup of coffee. Then, I get on with the rest of my day.
Tea at Shiv Niwas Palace Hotel, Udaipur, India
There’s no reason meditation has to be intimidating or weird. Make it your own – anytime, anywhere, and with anything you like to drink! Tea would work too.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I enjoyed your post! Brings to mind the write-up I did about coffee tasting that can be just as relaxing as drinking a cup the regular way! Thought you’d enjoy sharing it with your readers. I’ve already bookmarked your page!
You’re right Angela, meditation really can be as simple as drinking coffee. Many people think it has to be some mystical ritual far off in the mountains, but the best meditation is the one you can practice any day. I have used this technique myself, although I prefer to drink tea; the coffee come mid-morning when I start to drag :). I find that the tea itself is calming, plus getting all other thoughts out of my head makes me ready to face the day. Nice post.
-Aaron
Thanks for the comments, Tony and Aaron!
Aaron – I love tea too and actually never started drinking coffee (even in law school!) until I started working as a lawyer. I drink the strong stuff in the morning otherwise, I’d never get to sleep! Thanks for reading.
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