This mindfulness activity is an opportunity to connect with your body and to explore body sensations while engaging in a pretty familiar activity such as having a cuppa or just a drink.
So for this practice,
You will need a hot cup of coffee,
Tea,
Chocolate,
Or a cold drink,
Whatever that might be for you.
Make sure that the drink isn't too hot or too cold,
So that you're able to hold the cup or container that the drink is in,
As well as being able to drink it during this practice.
I invite you to find a place to sit where you won't be disturbed.
And I invite you to bring your awareness to your breath.
Breathing in.
And breathing out.
I invite you to start this practice by checking in with your body,
With your heart and with your mind.
Briefly observe whatever you notice and allow it to be just as it is.
Breathing in and breathing out.
I invite you to notice if there's any tightness in any part of your body.
There's no need to do anything about this,
Just to notice and to observe.
I invite you to notice if there's any sense of anticipation,
Any impatience or uneasiness.
Or are you feeling neutral?
Notice if there's any thoughts about this practice.
Practices judgments.
Perhaps this much.
There is no right way or wrong way for this practice.
Breathing in.
And breathing out.
I invite you to experiment with your breath,
And if you find it curious,
You might add a little bit extra to your next in-breath.
And add a little bit extra to your next output.
Breathing in.
And breathing out.
I invite you to wrap your hands around the cup,
The mug,
The glass,
The container that your drink is in.
And notice how that surface feels against your skin.
Perhaps you close your eyes for a moment.
And observe.
What is the temperature of the container?
What is the texture of its surface?
Maybe it's smooth,
Rough,
Irregular.
Do you notice anything when your eyes are open compared to when they are closed?
Breathing in and breathing out.
And observe you.
I invite you now to bring the container to your lips,
Ready to drink,
But not drinking just yet.
Notice any sensations when you bring the container to bring it to your lips to make contact with your lips.
What do you notice about it?
What is the temperature?
What is the texture?
What do you smell?
I invite you to notice the urge to drink.
Slowly take the first sip and hold the liquid in your mouth.
Notice the sensations of the liquid on your tongue and against your cheeks.
What is the temperature of the liquid?
What sensations do you notice in your mouth as you move your tongue,
As you swish the liquid around your mouth?
As the temperature of the liquid changed.
How does the liquid taste?
Maybe it's sweet?
Bitter?
Or something else?
Now I invite you to notice the intention to swallow.
As you notice the intention to swallow,
Now slowly begin to swallow the liquid.
Notice the sensation as the liquid travels down your throat to your stomach.
Now notice the urge to bring the container back to your lips for another drink before your arm begins to move.
As you bring the container towards your lips.
Notice the sensation in your arm and your hand.
Breathing in.
And breathing out.
Take another sip in your own time while observing all of the body sensations that are part of swallowing.
Has the temperature of the container changed?
Spend as much time as you like mindfully drinking what remains in your cup,
In your container.
And I invite you to check in again with your body,
Your heart and mind.
Lightly touch whatever you notice with your attention and allow it to be as it is.
Is there any tightness in any part of your body?
Do you have any sense of mood or emotions that are present?
Notice if there are any thoughts present.
Is there any difference between what you notice now and what you noticed when you began this practice?
Breathing in and breathe.
Thank you.
For sharing this practice with me.
