Each sip, a tribute
A few months ago, I started a morning ritual. With each sip of my morning coffee or puerh tea, I honor a different teacher of mine.
I’ve done this a few times a week and it has had a profound impact on my sense of gratitude and purpose.
I start with my mom and dad and then go through my life and picture the people I’ve learned the most from as I take each sip. Some of them are people I know personally and others are people whose books I’ve read or whose lectures I’ve listened to.
There are some teachers who always get a sip, and some who just come to mind for a day. They include therapists, coaches and workshop facilitators I’ve worked with, a few mentors from childhood, past bosses, Oprah Winfrey, Wayne Dyer, Ram Dass, Osho, Elizabeth Gilbert, and Ali Maya.
There are a few things I find myself doing as I take each sip. I don’t do all of these each time.
- With each gulp I imbibe the gist of their wisdom. Often this is what I image they might say in response to some puzzle I have, or just whatever comes to mind about what they would say or how they would be.
- I sense the emotional signature of spirit with which their gifts were given.
- I bow to their willingness to answer the inner call to do the work necessary to both develop and offer their gifts, as I vow to do the same with mine.
- I acknowledge their fallibility, and make a promise to ensure that their mistakes will be mined for maximum learning while recognizing that I, too, will make mistakes that others after me will learn from...and that this is the process of evolution of which we are all a part.
Want to try this ritual with me? When you pour your next hot morning beverage make it a cup full of the teachers and teachings that help guide you.
