Wondering how caffeine and calm, poured into the same coffee cup, can help you mindfully meditate? This blog offers a bit of Zen philosophy and shows how you can bring your inner nature into all your everyday experiences — to mindfully meditate through the ups and downs of life.

Happy Coffee Beans

Happy coffee beans make happy coffee. Growing in a Zen-like state of mindfulness and harmony, they dream of becoming lattes or espressos, cappuccinos or mochas. Their sole purpose is to make you happy when you drink your coffee. 
 
As the beans share their essence with you, they remind you of your inner essence. The subtle nuances and similarities between the coffee beans and mindfulness lend themselves to a cup of Zen coffee.

Have a Nice Day

This happy Zen coffee says it all; no words are necessary. When I posted this yesterday, I didn't write words to go with the picture. I thought that, without words, you would tune into the pure peacefulness of the Zen within you.

Zen coffee is simply being in the present moment, enjoying the moment, without any words to distract you from the peacefulness of a mindful moment.

Zen coffee makes you happy and brings a smile to your face because you are in tune with the inner essence of yourself. 

Let a smile be your mantra for today to bring out your inner Zen. Smile, and have a Zen day!

Breathe...

Breathing is something you do every day, day in and day out. So what makes breathing so special, other than keeping you alive? It's when you focus on your breath, when you're aware that you're breathing in and out. This is mindfulness, paying attention only to your breath. It centers you within yourself, calms your mind, and opens you to your spiritual nature. It brings you into harmony and creates peacefulness.

Breathe. Be here, now, completely in the present moment. Let your thoughts go as you center into what you’re doing and feeling at this very moment. Breathe and be.

Being in the present moment is stilling and empowering. It is mindfulness, being mindful of what you’re doing in the moment that you are doing it, without letting your thoughts wander.

If they stray, gently focus your awareness on your breathing; focus on the present—right here, right now—into what you’re doing and feeling at this exact moment in time. Just breathe and be with yourself.

In Zen meditation, a bell is used to bring your awareness back into yourself. When you hear the bell, you stop what you are doing and focus completely in the present moment. You use your breath to bring you into the peaceful essence of yourself.

Let coffee be your bell to meditate. Whenever and wherever you are, whatever you are doing and feeling, as you drink your coffee, let it bring you fully into the present moment, into the awareness of your calm, peaceful inner nature. Breathe...

Zen is Everywhere

You can find the mindfulness of Zen anywhere, anytime, all the time, and in any situation: while drinking your coffee, being in a beautiful garden, washing the dishes, mowing the lawn, writing a book, cooking dinner, walking through the rain, and riding a motorcycle. 
 
You don't need to be a meditating monk on a mountain to achieve Zen or sit in silence to listen to your inner spirit.

Mindfulness is a journey taken simply to experience and enjoy the journey. Whatever you're doing, wherever you are, is where you'll find Zen, because Zen is everywhere. All you have to do is look for it and be mindful of it.