Monday 12 December 2022

It's time for Coffee

 

One dusky evening I recall, I quietly watched myself as I consciously stirred the coffee in my ceramic mug. Slowly putting the spoon aside, I sipped my coffee & immediately exclaimed ‘Perrrfeccctt’! And by the time I finished my coffee,  I had a deja vu moment

Now, what’s so big about savoring a cup of coffee you might ask!  Especially when it is not brewed or filtered!!

A lot. It is about getting that froth when you pour milk atop a 45’ degree angle, not too high to spill it on the rim of the cup, but enough to form those enticing bubbles; it takes the right amount of coffee powder and just the right sugar.

Now, dear reader, you may debate, that you can always measure these, so that you get the right concoction… But I disagree. The OG chefs never measure (While it’s a good practice to do so)

Have you seen your mothers or grandmothers measuring salt, spices when making their ‘oh-so-awesome’ dishes?  No, they simply don’t. They’ll tell you as I have been told very casually - It’s how you feel at the moment

The coffee that evening tasted just the way I liked it. I sipped it slowly, meticulously, all the while being in the moment as I savored it sip by sip. Ah, bliss, I tell you  😊

It didn't end there. I then covered my legs with the soft-knitted throw on the couch and continued to relish the caffeine kick. The evening breeze was beginning to grow colder… Though it was 20 degrees, the breeze made me feel like it was a lot cooler than that!

Now as one reads through this graphic description of a coffee fix, the next logical thing you thought I would have done was watch a favorite show or read the book by the table to make it a Hallmark moment, right? And to be honest with you, I would have done that, but not this year, perhaps not anymore. This year things had pivoted. I had learnt the art of conscious living.

A very dear friend had handed me his book early this year – the one he wrote about his 10-day Vipassana Journey – the one that despite all of us pestering him – has not yet published it! So, to respect his decision- the book & him will be the ‘one we shall not name’

But I'd love to share my biggest takeaway from his vividly described account. And that is to consciously observe everything you do. It's that simple!

To remain an observer of what we are doing, how we are doing, and how these affect our way of life is the sum and distance of the book. ; And as I reveled in the company of my monkeying monk of friends, our spirits to spirituality conversations spread throughout 2022 seamlessly fit into the art of conscious living.

Now coming back to the coffee that I had described so passionately, was a result of that conscious living that I had made my mantra in 2022. Perhaps there is more to it., more to learn - As I observe, as I am aware, I learn of my muses, of my sojourns and of life as a whole.

And it began with a small step of being present in the moment - whether I'm  reading, cooking or talking! 😊

 


& I hope dear reader, as I trudge my way back into writing & as you slow down this holiday season for your well deserved breaks, may you enjoy your coffee as you pause and reflect 2022!

To the, Consciousness of the mind, Enlightenment of the soul & Happiness of the being 💓