Transform Your Daily Routine. Simple Ways to Bring Mindfulness to Everyday Tasks Like Drinking Tea and Washing Dishes

“Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves—slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future; live the actual moment. Only this moment is life.” – Thich Nhat Hạnh

If you’re drinking tea but not really paying attention to it, chances are you’re thinking about what’s next, you’re distracted, and missing the present moment.

Thich Nhat Hanh, spiritual leader and activist says raising the cup to your mouth can be like a little ceremony.

It’s a form of self-care, patience, and gratitude.So don’t chug your coffee or tea like you’re on a rushed work break.Sip it slowly and with care, as if it’s the most important thing you’re doing — no rushing, no thinking ahead.

Only this actual moment is life.“

The Cup in Your Hands

🍵Drinking a cup of tea becomes a direct and wondrous experience in which the distinction between subject and object no longer exists. — Thich Nhat Hanh.”

🫗Empty the Cup in your hands: Zen master Nan-in served tea🍶🍵

During the Meiji era (1868 — 1912), a Japanese Zen master named of Nan’in Zengu welcomed a university professor who wanted to learn about Zen.
As they sat together, Nan’in poured tea into the professor’s cup. He filled it to the brim and kept pouring. The professor couldn’t hold back and shouted, “It’s full! No more will fit!” Nan’in calmly replied, “Like this cup, you’re full of your own opinions and ideas. How can I show you Zen unless you first empty your cup?”

So the next time you prepare a pot of tea, hold the cup in your hands and drink it with mindfulness .

Prepare a Pot of Tea to Drink in Mindfulness the cup in your hands

Image courtesy of Delphi forums

Allow yourself a good length of time to prepare a pot of tea for the cup in your hands.

• Follow each step, and do each movement slowly, in mindfulness.
• Try not to let one detail of your movements go by without being mindful of it. For instance, realize that your hand lifts the pot by its handle. And know that you are pouring the warm fragrance of that green tea into the cup.

Once you’re ready, sit somewhere quietly to slowly drink your tea. Don’t slouch your back too much. Maintain a sit-up posture as much as possible to help ease up the flow of the breath.

Breathe more deeply than usual.

And when you’re ready to wash the dishes, wash them in mindfulness.

Two Ways to Wash the Dishes 🌊

Nhat Hanh explains that if we can’t wash the dishes properly, we probably won’t be able to enjoy our tea either. But once we start connecting with the cup, washing it will feel more peaceful and in sync.

Thich Nhat Hanh says there are two ways to wash dishes: one is washing them just to have clean dishes, and the other is washing them for the sake of washing them.

He points out that if we rush through washing the dishes, just trying to get them done like they’re a chore, then we’re not truly “washing the dishes to wash the dishes.”

In fact, Nhat Hanh says, “We’re not really alive while we’re washing the dishes. We’re missing the miracle of life while standing at the sink.” we can’t wash the dishes properly, explains Nhat Hanh, chances are we won’t be able to drink our tea either. But now that you’ve formed a relationship with the cup, washing it should feel more harmonious and peaceful.

Nhat Hanh says that when you’re washing the cup, you should only be focused on washing the cup or the dish.

This means you should be fully aware that you’re washing the cup or dish, and nothing else.

He writes, “At first glance, that might seem a little silly to put so much pressure and stress a simple thing, but that’s precisely the point. The fact that I am standing there and washing these bowls is a wondrous reality. I’m being completely myself following my breath, conscious of my presence, and conscious of my thoughts and actions. There’s no way I can be tossed around mindlessly like a bottle slapped here and there on the waves.”

Conclusion

Bringing mindfulness into everyday tasks like drinking tea or washing dishes can turn simple moments into chances to relax and reset.

Instead of rushing, taking a little extra time to focus on the present can help you feel more grounded and calmer.

Whether it’s enjoying the warmth of your tea or noticing the feel of soapy water on your hands, these small, mindful habits can really boost your mood.

So, next time you’re doing these daily tasks, try slowing down and soaking in the moment—you might be surprised at how much more relaxed and happier you’ll feel!

As spiritual teacher and author Eknath Easwaran says, “This kind of meditation is a warmup for the mind, so you can get through the rest of the day without getting stressed or losing your patience.”

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