The New Trend of Meditating with Tea (Explained!)

Tea has been a part of many cultures for a long time.

You’ll find that every region consumes a different type of tea, in its own unique way.

Let’s talk about India, for example. We are one of the largest producers in the world, with 70% of it being consumed in the country itself. Ayurveda clearly states the medical benefits of consuming tea, with plants and spices like holy basil, cardamom, mint, etc.

And then we also have different tea around the world like:

• Chamomile tea, known for its calming properties
• Hibiscus tea, known to fight oxidative stress and lower high blood pressure
• Rooibos tea, known to reduce the risk of heart disease and improve bone health (preliminary evidence)

And when one of these already beneficial teas is combined with the evident power of meditation, imagine the wonders that could happen.

Talking about the combination of tea and meditation, this is one of the newest trends to hit our world.

It may sound out of place, but trust us, tea and meditation get along really well.

 

Alright, here’s what we’re going to cover in this article:

• Understanding Meditation
• Understanding Tea Meditation
• Teas for Meditation
• A Step Wise Guide

Understanding Meditation

Meditation is largely associated with training your mind to become more aware and gain a healthy sense of perspective.

The goal is to achieve an emotionally calm and mentally clear state of mind. Meditation also helps in reducing anxiety, depression, stress, and pain. By creating a proper meditation schedule, you can increase your level of perception and understand of yourself.

Meditation is known as a practice because you need to be consistent. Becoming comfortable with it and learning how to properly meditate, takes time, patience, and practice. It is also during this process that we see positive changes.

 

Understanding Tea Meditation

The process of tea meditation begins the moment you decide to meditate with tea, and ends when you have the last sip.

So, it can be said that the process of making tea, selecting the right teaware for it, and enjoying the aromatic tea is meditation in itself.

Meditating in itself can be tough for some people. And for them, tea medication is a great alternative.

 

Teas for Meditation

As long as you are fond of the tea you’re having, it will work for your meditation process. There is no right tea to pick out.

Everybody has their own favorites, and meditating with tea means enjoying the tea.

Some people like to have tea with bigger leaves like oolong, while others might opt for Matcha tea prepared in a traditional way.

Preferably, you want to pick tea leaves so that you can watch them dance in the bubbling water. You’ll see that the leaves begin to extract color and aroma. All of these prove to be the meditative element.

If you want to begin tea meditation immediately but do not have loose tea leaves available, then teabags would do.

 

A Step Wise Guide

The most important thing to remember about tea meditation is that it can be as long as you want, and it can be done whenever you want.

No need to wake up early in the morning, and rush this process before work.

You can begin with a 10 to 15-minute session at first, and gradually increase the time, if the super long mediation hour scares you.

Now, let’s get started with understanding the process.

 

• Step 1

From your collection of teaware, select a vessel. Pick out something that feels right at the moment. See whether looking at it put a smile on your face, or touches your heart.

Is a floral mug that seems attractive right now? Or would you like something that is a bit more luxurious?

 

 

• Step 2

The next thing you want to pick out is the tea. Like we mentioned before, you can pick any tea you want, your favorite one. You don’t want to overthink this one. Pick out the first tea that comes to your mind, this is the one that you’re truly feeling right at that moment.

 

• Step 3

Grab a pot or kettle to boil your water. As it boils on a low heat, sit in a quiet place. Begin meditating by breathing regularly. As you’re sitting comfortably, take one hand and place it on your chest. The other hand should rest on your stomach. As you calmly inhale and exhale with your eyes closed, you will hear the water boil in the kitchen.

 

• Step 4

Now, if the type of tea you have selected requires you to boil the tea, then go ahead and do so. If the tea you’ve picked requires only warm water, then let your water cool in the kettle and by your side. Take this time to get back to your meditation, and feel the steam from the kettle around you. Observe the changes in your muscle. Do they feel relaxed? Light, heavy, or tensed?

 

 

• Step 5

You can now open your eyes and either serve yourself a cup from the kettle or mix the warm water with the tea leaves. Carefully listen to the water flow from the kettle into the mug. Now keep it aside, and repeat the breathing pattern with your eyes closed. Gently open your eyes and observe the steam rise from your mug. Take it in. Remind yourself to be thankful for the cup of tea, and for the people who made sure it reached you.

 

• Step 6

In this step, you want to recognize your senses. As you pick the teacup feel its weight and texture. Take it close to your nose and smell the beautiful fragrance of the tea, and let it linger around you. Feel it with your eyes closed. This moment will become a memory you begin to cherish.

 

 

• Step 7

As you take the first sip of this tea made with love and calm, pull your attention towards your breathing. Focus on how the tea feels in your mouth, and how it feels as it reaches your stomach. With each sip, savor the freshness. Let your mind wander, thinking about nothing in particular. Ideally, you want to take 30 seconds between each sip.

 

• Step 8

Once you are at the last of the sips, slowly begin to make yourself aware of your surroundings. Listen to the birds, feel the seat you are sitting on, and feel your muscles relax. This is the end of the meditation. Now you should give thanks to yourself, your body, and the tea you enjoyed.

 

Meditation helps you let go of things that are bothering you.

And combined with tea, it becomes more powerful.

Try Tea Meditation and let us know how it goes for you!

 

You may also want to catch up on some Art Therapy!