Drinking a glass of water is a common and essential action, but it can be approached in different ways, from a simple act to quench thirst to a more mindful experience.
The Standard Approach
The most straightforward method for drinking water from a glass involves a few simple steps:
- Lift the glass: Pick up the glass containing the water.
- Bring to lips: Raise the glass towards your mouth.
- Tilt and pour: Tilt the glass to allow the water to flow into your mouth.
- Swallow: Consume the water.
- Repeat: Continue tilting and swallowing until you have had enough water or the glass is empty.
This method is efficient and focuses purely on the functional aspect of hydration.
A Mindful Approach to Drinking Water
Beyond the basic act, drinking water can also be a moment of sensory engagement. As explored in practices like those highlighted by Marina Abramović, the experience can begin even before the water touches your lips.
One way to approach this is to focus on the physical object itself—the glass—and the immediate sensations it provides:
- Hold the glass: Take the glass in your hand.
- Engage your senses: Before you even tilt the glass, pay attention to its properties.
- Feel the glass: As described, you can "close your eyes and just feel it the coldness. And wetness of the glass."
This intentional feeling of the glass allows you to connect with the physical object and the coolness it holds before you begin drinking. It shifts the focus from just the act of swallowing to experiencing the components involved – the vessel and its temperature.
After taking a moment to feel the glass, you can then proceed to drink the water, perhaps maintaining a sense of awareness of the taste, temperature, and the sensation of the water moving through your body.
By incorporating this mindful element, drinking water becomes more than just refilling your body's supply; it becomes an opportunity to pause and appreciate the simple physical realities of the moment.
