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Inspiration for living a luxuriously and balanced life

Tuesday, January 14, 2014

A Cup of Mindfulness Tea

Welcome to Over a Cup of Tea ...

Tea time is a great opportunity to sit back close your eyes and either drift in thought through memories or dream of things you would like to come into your life. 



A pretty teacup helps turn an ordinary tea time into a special occasion.

Tea time is also a wonderful opportunity to practice mindfulness ...

mind·ful·ness
ˈmīndfəlnəs/
noun
noun: mindfulness
  1. 1.
    the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.
    "their mindfulness of the wider cinematic tradition"
  2. 2.
    a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.

With today's demands for us to always be connected it has become more important than ever to unplug, stop doing things on auto pilot and experience being in the moment. Try these simple steps the next time you brew a cup of tea: 

1. Take notice of your environment, the sound of the water as you fill the kettle. Smile at the thought of fresh water and give thanks for having it.

2. Take note of how your feet feel as you make your way across the room, how the floor feels below your feet.

3. Notice the various shades and textures of the dry tea leaves. If you use tea bags still touch the leaves and breathe in the fragrant scent.

4. Listen to the sound of the water as you pour it into the teapot see how the leaves begin to transform as the hot water envelopes them.

5. As the tea steeps try to quieten your mind focus on your breath - inhaling and exhaling through the nose.

6. Holding teacup with both hands raise teacup to your nose. Take three deep breaths inhaling the warmth and fragrant scent of your tea.

7. Take note of the flavours as the tea rolls over your tongue - see if you can identify their origins.

8. As the tea makes its way past your tongue invite it into your body to nourish and heal.

9. Repeat  steps 6-8 until you finish your cup of tea.

 Have you tried a mindfulness exercise similar to this one?  

Hugs,
 photo a7ceed8b-ce4f-45e6-8e44-5208e41b8eab_zps61970480.jpg
Stay in Step with High Heeled Life ...

Sharing this post with:  ~  Inspire Me Tuesday ~  A Return to Loveliness ~  Antiques and Teacups for Tuesday Cuppa Tea ~ Rose Chintz Cottage for Tea time Tuesday ~ Artful Affirmations and Martha's favorites for Teacup Tuesday ~ 

13 comments:

  1. Perfect advice. I find my tea time to be a restorative and restful time that puts things in perspective. Mindfulness is a good way to put it! I love your teacup....Royal Standard is a favorite. Thanks so much for sharing this beautiful post and linking to Tuesday Cuppa Tea!
    Ruth

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  2. yes, so important to slow down and really savor our tea breaks!

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  3. Dearest Celia;
    Your tea cup is really LOVELY♡♡♡ You might think this sound funny but I drink Japanese green tea with tea or coffee cup. Not Yunomi we have for the green tea p;) Very relaxing time for me.
    Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan, xoxo Miyako*

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  4. Tea time is always a relaxing time for me. I have always taken pleasure through the senses; the smell of the tea, the taste, the colour, how it warms me on a cold day. In warmer weather, it still affects me the same way. A wonderful elixir for the body and soul. Thank you sharing and coming to tea. Your teacup is very pretty too, by the way. Have a lovely day, Celia.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  5. You are the one who inspired me to start using my beautiful tea cups rather than leave them sitting in the china cabinet! My biggest problem is choosing one to drink from because I so enjoy them all! I am going to practice mindfulness this afternoon when I make my cuppa and be aware of everything. Thank you for inspiring!!

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  6. My afternoon tea time is when I like to relax and enjoy everything about this daily ritual.

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  7. Dearest Celia,
    Lovely steps and it is a great way to practice mindfulness. Enjoy yours and so do we here daily; it is a very special ritual for both of us.
    Hugs,
    Mariette

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  8. What a beautiful reminder my dear! I start my morning … just this way over coffee … and watch the sun come up and paint my garden … this is the most soulful and mindful part of my day. I do think adding in an afternoon tea break … with your soulful suggestions could be just what I need to ward of the afternoon blahs. I already have my teacup all picked out!

    Thank you for this lovely suggestion and your kind words on my blog.

    xoxo
    Tamera

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  9. I love teacups and have many.....I need to stop and smell the roses more often! Thank you for the reminder......
    Blessings My Friend,

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  10. Hello darling Celia,
    I confess, I am a tea-aholic but I haven't done this exercise. I need to experience my habit on this level instead of just taking it for granted. I was watching a tv show the other day where they re-enacted having tea in Victorian times. The table was beautifully laid, porcelain teapot, cups and saucers. Shiny bowl of sugar, sparking jug of milk and tea kept in small, very expensive amounts, in special tea daddy's. Tea was a rare commodity in those days. They made the comment that it looked like a different kind of drug paraphernalia, all the equipment laid out ready to imbibe. There is such a history attached to tea and it's enjoyment and you have added yet another layer. I love this post dedicated to my drug of choice.
    Have a wonderful up-coming weekend dear lady!
    Di
    xoxoxo

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  11. D h! Tea caddies, not daddy's.
    I hate predictive text sometimes!
    Di
    xoxoxo

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  12. I haven't but I must start to. Having so much trouble turning "off" these days.

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  13. I found your blog through another. Up early enjoying my coffee. I love this. I don't work, or have a hectic life. But, having just retired and moved to a new town...I am having trouble with what my routine should be? I must remember to make "me time". a priority It will certainly help center my thoughts.

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