Welcome to this chocolate meditation.
We all love chocolate,
But do we really appreciate chocolate on a level of gratitude and mindfulness?
Well,
Join me in this meditation as we learn to appreciate chocolate on another level.
For this meditation you'll need a piece of chocolate of your choice and a nice quiet space from which you can enjoy this meditation.
So without further ado let's begin.
Find yourself seated comfortably.
Get back upright in a quiet place.
You may close your eyes or keep them gently open.
Whatever feels right for you.
Begin by taking a deep breath in through your nose.
Now as you exhale let go of any tension in your body.
When you're fully exhaled take note of your breath.
Notice where the breath is felt most distinctly.
Take a few moments to connect with your breath using it as an anchor to the present moment.
If thoughts seep in that's perfectly normal.
Just take note of the thought and gently go back to your breath and slowly bring your awareness to the chocolate in front of you waiting to be enjoyed.
Do not touch it yet.
I just want you to notice its shape.
Notice its size and notice its color.
Let your senses explore it without touching it just yet.
Now close your eyes and envision what this chocolate might smell like.
Imagine the rich enticing aroma that surrounds it.
Picture the texture as you imagine yourself holding this chocolate in your hands.
How do you envision this chocolate tasting like?
Imagine the flavor of this chocolate.
You may now open your eyes and reach out and gently hold the chocolate.
Feel its weight in your hand.
Notice the sensation of the packaging.
Notice the temperature of the chocolate.
Merely take a few more moments to appreciate the physicality of the chocolate.
Now let's take some time to express deep gratitude for the journey of this chocolate.
As you hold it in your hand imagine the cacao tree from which it originated.
Picture the lush tropical rainforest or farm where it grew.
Nurtured by the sun and rain.
I'd like you to feel a sense of appreciation for the natural world that provided us with such a treasure.
Now extend your gratitude to the skilled farmers that tended to the cacao tree and who carefully harvested the cacao pods.
Visualize them in their daily labor.
Connecting with the earth.
Working hard to bring this gift to you.
As you continue to hold the chocolate think about the long journey it embarked on.
Imagine the truck driver who carried the cacao beans from the farms to the processing facility.
Visualize the workers there sorting,
Roasting,
Grinding the beans into chocolates,
Mixing the ingredients,
Working together.
Acknowledge the skill and care that went into this process.
What about the creative minds behind the scenes?
The marketing team that thought of the perfect name for this chocolate.
The designers who crafted its appealing packaging.
Take a moment to feel appreciation for their artistry and ingenuity.
Imagine the delivery trucks that transported the chocolate to the store where you found it.
And the diligent store workers who placed it on the shelves making it available for you today.
Lastly extend your gratitude to the person at the checkout who sold you this chocolate.
Completing the circle of its journey into your hands.
Take a moment to feel the warmth of gratitude filling your heart.
Appreciating the web of life and human effort that has culminated in this simple yet profound experience of enjoying something as simple as chocolate.
Next I'd like you to slowly start unwrapping the chocolate.
As you do so listen to the sound of the packaging.
Notice it crinkle and I want you to be fully present in this moment.
When you've unwrapped the chocolates hold the chocolate close to your nose.
Take a few deep breaths.
Inhale the aroma of the chocolates.
Notice how it makes you feel both emotionally and physically.
Does it trigger any sensations or even memories?
Now take a small piece of the chocolate and place it on your tongue.
Let it melt slowly.
Do not swallow it yet.
Just pay attention to the taste,
To the texture and how it feels in your mouth.
Notice how it gradually melts.
I want you to also be aware of your desire to swallow the chocolates.
I won't torture you any further.
Feel free to swallow the chocolate.
Notice how it runs down your throat.
Notice how you feel as it does.
Sensations,
The emotions.
Now explore the aftertaste.
How does it taste in your mouth now?
Take a few more final moments to savour the taste of this chocolate.
When you're ready you may gently open your eyes if they were closed.
Take a deep breath in through your nose.
Slowly exhale.
Bring yourself back to the present moments.
Notice how you feel.
You may now finish the chocolate at your own pace if you wish to.
Thank you so much for joining me in this mindfulness chocolate meditation and may you carry this sense of mindfulness and gratitude with you as you go about your day.
Have a sweet rest of the day from my heart to yours.
Thank you.
