“We not only nurture our sacred relationships through ritual, but we are nurtured by them as well. In ritual, we move, and we are moved.” — Alison Leigh Lilly
I’ve been contemplating recently the grounding nature of mindful rituals, and their ability to connect you intimately to the present moment. Cultivating a ritual with presence is one of the most accessible ways we can put mindfulness to practice in everyday life.
My daily coffee ritual is one of my most treasured mindfulness practices. Each morning, I carve out time to make and enjoy a cup of freshly ground, home-brewed coffee. From the intoxicating scent emanating from the hand grinder to the coffee dripping gently from the filter into the ceramic cup, each moment of the preparation is worth cherishing. And then, when I drink the coffee, I experience something equally as joyous through my senses – warmth cocooned within my hands, on my lips and through my body, an enchanting sight of steam radiating from the cup, a mesmerising taste in my mouth from the very first sip. My coffee ritual is a time for presence, contemplation, stillness and ease, and it sets the tone for the rest of my day.
When I get to share this sacred ritual with others, such as friends or loved ones, the experience feels richer and more nourishing. Perhaps this is because rituals have the power to enhance our sense of connection in life — to ourselves, to others, to the moment unfolding.
I invite you to contemplate the everyday rituals you value the most. How much time do you dedicate to these rituals? Do you undertake them with presence? Do they feel nourishing to you?
When we bring mindfulness into our everyday lives, it reminds us that we already have everything we need in life to feel calm, content and at ease. Being’s companion publications — Mindfulness Workbook, Gratitude & Hope Journal and Mindful Journal — explore this notion in more depth.
