Royal Reflections & Tea Meditation
Royal Wedding Reflection
Bryan and I got engaged the eve of Thanksgiving 2017. Harry and Meghan announced their engagement that same weekend. During the period of time I was preparing for my own life transitions a lightbulb went off in my head. Marriage is the ultimate ‘Yoga’. It is a sacred union. The root word of yoga means to ‘yoke’ together like oxen…Or like a beautiful horse drawn carriage seen in fairytales.
My wedding was a union of families, Harry and Meghan’s united a global community. As I watched this event I felt as though I was taking part in a moment of history. That the sum of all moments in time have lead to this very one. Not just for them, but for all of us. Now more then ever, the people of the world can recognize that we are sharing these moments as a whole. Each breath we take as individuals, is shared on a much large scale. We all breath together, even the Earth.
It just goes to show how our everyday experiences really are part of a greater whole regardless of whether there is a Royal Wedding taking place or not…each of our actions as individuals lead us to actions as a whole. From backyard, to city, state, country, earth, to the universe…I am reminded how even the smallest of actions have a grand impact. This keeps me mindful, present, and always believing that dreams really do come true.
Tea Meditation
Use the highest quality water you have, strategically pick your vessel, and begin to heat the water. Listen to the sounds the water makes at it heats.
Pick the tea that you wish to use. Be mindful when picking your tea, pondering the desired flavor and effect that you wish for it to cultivate within you.
Once the tea has been picked, take a good look at it, before it goes into the water. If it is loose leaf look at the colors, shapes, and textures. If it is in a bag, look at how it is packaged and notice these same qualities.
Then, close your eyes and smell it. If it is not very strong, give it a squeeze to release some of the aromatic oils. Do you have a physiological response, like your mouth watering? Perhaps a memory or a feeling arises?
As you place the tea into the cup, watch carefully as you begin to slowly pour the water over it. See how the water changes colors, gaining new characteristics. Watch your tea steep for the proper amount of time. While this is happening watch the steam rising, feeling the warmth of the cup, and soaking up the smell in your nostrils. Take a few long inhales letting the scent pervade your being.
Take the tea out of the cup allowing it to cool a bit. At first sip just take in a small amount of fluid. First noticing it initial taste. Swirl it around your mouth a few times as the digestive process begins. Does the flavor change? As you swallow notice of there is an after taste? Does the tea change from when it enters your lips until the time you swallow? After you swallow, does it leave you with a feeling?
Take your time in consuming your glass of tea. Let all of your senses be part of this experience, for the entire experience. After the tea is gone, take some time to reflect on the process, and how you are feeling now.
Anything can be a meditation by being fully present in whatever you are doing. The simplest of activities can be made into a connection.
About the Photos
Top: I attended an event at Costal Retreat to watch the wedding, and my friend Abby Rose made scones, whipped cream, lemon curd, and strawberry jam. YUM!
Middle: Taken from my own wedding by Jolie Conner Photography at the Wentworth Mansion in Charleston, SC.
Bottom: Friends Jen Kock of Physically Fitch and Aundra Anderson of Fit with Aundra had a ‘non-bachelorette’ evening for me, and bestowed me with beautiful tea cup, tiara, sash, Magic Mike, and so much more…:-)