Hello again,
This is Joanne,
And I thought I would bring you a meditation to go with your cup of tea.
And since you have maybe come to my tea leave reading lives,
I thought you might enjoy your own little meditation with your cup of tea and your leaves,
And then maybe reading them yourself at the end.
So,
Go and get your favourite teacup,
Put in your favourite black,
Green,
Oolong or white tea leaves,
And by using the leaves,
This will enable you to read them after you've enjoyed the meditation with the tea.
So pause this if you need to,
And go and set the water to boil.
Now look at your beautiful teacup,
Appreciate it.
Why is it your favourite teacup?
Is it the colour,
The size,
Maybe the pattern on it?
Or maybe its shape,
Or just the way it snugly sits in your hand.
Maybe someone close gifted it to you.
What is it made of?
Is it china?
Is it glass?
Is it pottery?
Now,
Look at the tea leaves in the teacup,
What are they?
What is their flavour?
Is it just a single blend?
Or is it a blend of your own making?
If not,
Think about who blended it.
Did they have a recipe?
Did you have a recipe?
And did it come in a foil bag,
Or maybe a tin?
Did you get the leaves,
Or the blend?
Did you buy them online and get sent to you?
Or did you go to a tea store where you chose it yourself?
Consider the importance of the tea leaves,
The teacup,
And the water.
You need all three to prepare your cup of tea.
Think about how things in life rely on more than one thing to be enjoyable,
To be magical.
When the water is ready,
Not quite boiled,
Gently pour it into that beautiful precious teacup.
Pay attention to the sound of the water as it hits the bottom of your cup,
And then the difference when it hits the tea leaves and they start to rise,
And the sound as it changes as the water fills your teacup.
Watch the steam rising off the surface of the water once you've filled it up,
And as your tea leaves steep,
Lean into the steam,
Feel that damp warmth,
And inhale the aroma.
Initially it'll be mild,
But as the tea leaves start to infuse in the water,
The steam begins to smell stronger.
Take a few deep breaths,
Slowly through your nose,
And then exhale through your mouth with a long,
Beautiful sigh,
Relaxing every muscle in your body.
Hold the teacup in your hands,
Feel the heat,
But be careful not to burn your hands.
And as you move the teacup,
Watch the steam move with a shift in air pressure,
And settle down in a comfortable chair now with your tea.
And when it has cooled just enough to drink,
Bring it to your lips.
Notice how your mouth becomes ready to move to the edge of the teacup to sip,
How it braces itself for the hot liquid.
How is your breathing?
Are you a little tense in anticipation of the tea being too hot?
Just relax any part of your face or body that feels tense.
Now,
Take your first sip.
Mmm,
How does it taste?
Can you describe the flavours?
Notice each amazing sensation as you enjoy your tea.
Pay attention to your thoughts.
Be present in the moment.
Are you aware of how fascinating and fulfilling life can be when you focus on every little moment?
When you focus on the little things,
Not just the big things?
Does it feel as though time has slowed down and expanded?
It will,
If you allow it to.
And let the memory of the tea's aroma,
The steam's heat,
And the joy of drinking the tea transport you into a blessed,
Calm and peaceful rest of your day.
And now you can also read those leaves if you want to,
And I'd be honoured to help interpret the symbols you see,
So feel free to contact me.
And carry that stillness you've touched within you,
Let it guide your thoughts,
Soften your words,
And ground your steps.
Have a wonderful rest of your day.
Namaste.
