For many historical societies, drinking tea has been a calming and consoling ritual. It is a potent ritual that is still practiced today. It connects individuals, invites a little moment of silence, and eases you into your day by calming and centering your thoughts.
Tea consumption can improve and deepen your meditation experience. Regardless of how long you’ve been practicing or how recently you started.
Tea has significant emotional effects besides its many physical advantages. Those include an increase in antioxidants and a reduced risk of high blood pressure.
Making time for calming your mids is essential. Daily habits like meditation can enhance your sense of well-being and thankfulness. By combining mindfulness with tea meditation, you can improve your daily tea-drinking routine.
Continue reading to understand the ins and outs of this time-honored combo and how to include it into your routine for more clarity and peace.
Like how exercising trains the body, meditation exercises the mind. Not turning off your mind, but instead better understanding it, is the aim of meditation. By becoming conscious, which is the capacity to completely take part in the present moment, one can do this. It takes regular practice to become proficient at meditation, which is why the skill is termed “practice.”
Tea meditation involves more than merely brewing a cup and listening to a piece of meditation music. Making tea can be a form of meditation in and of itself. It starts when you decide which cup to use and finishes when you’ve had your last sip of tea.
Tea meditation might be the solution if you’re interested in meditation but haven’t tried it or are having problems practicing it. When they have tea to concentrate on, some people find it easier to observe their thoughts and feelings in privacy.
We can observe how meditation and tea drinking can encourage positive mental traits. Let’s take a look at how beneficial components in tea affect the brain.
Caffeine lessens daytime tiredness
If you’ve ever tried meditation, you’re well aware of the potential for sleepiness. Sometimes, unwinding and “letting go” results in tremendous happiness. While other times, they make us fall asleep.
Yet, if you have a cup of tea beforehand or during your practice, you’re less likely to fall asleep. The caffeine in tea also has a different effect on the body than that of coffee. It feels softer, less abrasive, and less jittery.
There are different ways to deal with sleepiness. Green tea is a tried-and-true strategy used for almost two thousand years. to stay awake while meditating.
L-theanine supports calm relaxation
Even if you don’t have trouble staying awake while meditating, tea can still be a great ally for mindfulness practices for other reasons.
The soothing amino acid L-theanine, found in ground tea, promotes alpha-brain wave activity. Calm attention is associated with alpha brain waves. Additionally, meditation produces alpha brain waves.
EGCG might support blissful states
Through the specific receptors, tea catechins like EGCG may also exert relaxing effects.
Your endocannabinoid system has CB receptors. They are often engaged in physical activity, yoga, meditation, and deep breathing.
It’s simple to use tea for meditation’s advantages. The timing is crucial; make sure to consume tea at least 30 minutes before to give the caffeine time to act. The absorption of other healthy tea ingredients is similar.
Then continue your regular meditation. You may need to work on improving your sleep if you need more than 1-2 cups of tea to stay awake when meditating.
You may be sipping tea while well-rested and still feel tired or unfocused. This condition is known as subtle dullness.
Even when you are well-rested, subtle dullness, a form of distraction or zoning out, can make you feel tired. It’s a common problem that most people have when beginning their meditation journey. The only way to stop your mind from wandering is to concentrate more on your meditation target.
Tea making is done as usual for this tea meditation. Yet, you’ll add an extra layer of focus and intention with each step. Even though the steps are the same, your attention is on the tea’s sensory experience while you prepare and drink it.
Select a tea. Think about your current state of mind and your physical and mental requirements. Choose a caffeinated combination to give you a surge of energy. Choose a herbal tea if you want to relieve stress. Examine the rationale behind the type of tea you select and the method of preparation.
Pick your cup. Choose your favorite mug that has an important meaning to you. Pick a cup that resonates with you and brings you joy.
Take note of the heating water. While you wait for the water to boil, settle into a cozy position and start to breathe deeply. Take a deep breath and listen to the water as it starts to boil. As the water warms up, you can hear the pace quicken. There may be a lengthy waiting period, so keep an eye out for any impatience you may be feeling (without judgment). Enjoy the moment. Watch the steam rising from the kettle as the water boils and hear the piercing whistle as it blows.
Keep an eye on the tea change. Pour the water into your cup with care. Whether you’re using an infuser or a bag, observe how the color changes over time. Notice how the color darkens. You can add cream, milk, sugar, or honey to your tea. Consider the reasons behind each addition.
In your hands, feel the warmth of the grip or the cup. Feel the cup’s sturdy build. While holding the cup, pay attention to its contour. Hold the cup to your nose and take a deep inhale before taking your first sip. Have fun smelling it; notice all notes. When you’re ready to take your first sip, don’t rush. Consider the initial flavor rush after letting the tea rest on your tongue for a moment. What flavor does it have? Let the taste linger on your tongue. As you take your initial sip, observe how the tea enters your body.
Enjoy the journey. Feel where you are in space right now, whether standing or sitting and feel anchored. Continue to taste your tea as you do so. Take note of every area of your body that makes touch with the floor. Observe how fast you are drinking your tea. Without passing judgment, pay attention to your feelings as they emerge. As time goes by, observe how the temperature changes.
As your tea meditation comes to an end, take a time to be grateful for your presence. Thank everyone who worked to plant, harvest, package, and deliver this tea. Be grateful for this moment of isolation right now.
You can meditate while drinking any tea. Choose one of your favorites rather than trying to locate the “perfect” tea for this. If you don’t even like the tea, you won’t have a pleasant tea meditation session. Choose teas with larger leaves, especially rolled oolongs. Watching the leaves dance and unfold in the water promotes this meditative state. Matcha is another excellent option. The traditional preparation is an art form in and of itself.