Ombar Chocolate Meditation
Meditation and mindfulness are all the rage these days, and for good reason. The majority of us feel overwhelmed by the countless decisions, distractions and demands on our attention every second of every day. And meditation or mindfulness are proven to be beneficial for our mental, emotional, and even physical well-being, helping to reduce stress and anxiety.
But for many of us life can get so hectic and fast-paced that we often forget to even breathe, let alone take time to slow down, centre ourselves in the present moment and connect to our senses.
Unsurprisingly, though, one thing we never seem to forget to do is eat chocolate. So, it only makes sense then to let chocolate lead the way, right? Combining delicious indulgence with meditation to help relieve a bit of your stress and anxiety. Makes perfect sense to us!
Now, usually what happens is that most of us grab a bar of our favourite chocolate and gobble it down without giving much thought to what we’re seeing, hearing, touching, tasting or smelling. Instead, just this once, try this short, guided chocolate meditation to bring your complete attention to the event of eating a piece of chocolate. We promise it will enhance your experience, making the chocolate taste even better, creating that perfect, blissful #OmMoment. That is, if you can resist the temptation to wolf it down!
So let’s get started. We’ve adapted this meditation from ‘Mindfulness: Finding Peace in a Frantic World’, a book by Danny Penman and Mark Williams1. We recommend that you read the instructions below first, then take a deep breath and enter chocolate paradise at your own pace.
Ombar Chocolate Meditation
- Choose your favourite Ombar. Maybe choose a flavour you don’t usually go for to experience something new.
- Before you unwrap the bar look at the entire Ombar in your hand. Sense the weight of it. Study the feel and texture of the wrapper. Look at the shape as if you’re seeing it for the very first time.
- Oh-so-slowly unwrap your Ombar. Notice how the wrapper feels as you fold or tear it away.
- Watch the chocolate itself emerge out of the wrapper. What colours do you notice? What shapes? Study the grooves and the segments it’s been moulded into.
- Inhale the aroma of the chocolate, letting it sweep over you. Notice the different layers of scent.
- Now break off a piece and look at it as it rests in your hand, really letting your eyes drink in what you’re seeing. Take your time here.
- When you’re ready, bring the piece toward your mouth. Notice how your hand automatically knows how to position the chocolate before your mouth.
- Now, close your eyes and pop your Ombar into your mouth, noticing what your tongue does to receive it.
- Is it possible to resist the urge to bite into it? This is hard, we know! Try instead simply allowing the piece of chocolate to sit on your tongue, letting it slowly melt in your mouth.
- Notice the tendency you have to chew. Acknowledge that tendency and then bring your attention back to the sensation of the chocolate in your mouth.
- See if you can sense some of the different flavours, noticing how they come alive at different moments. Allow the flavours to fully develop on your palate.
- If you notice your mind wandering whilst you do this, that’s okay! Simply note where it went, then gently escort it back to the present moment. Just you and your Ombar.
- And finally, when the chocolate has completely melted in your mouth, swallow it slowly and deliberately, letting it flow down your throat.
- Take a few moments here to pause and breathe, before ending your meditation.
Now how do you feel? Possibly one of THE most enjoyable guided meditations, right? What did you notice? Did your Ombar taste better than if you had eaten it at your normal pace? What do you make of that?
So often we’re on auto-pilot and miss much of the beautiful moments of our day-to-day lives. So if you’re feeling disconnected and overwhelmed, try pausing, taking a breath, and maybe slowly eat an Ombar. After all, it’s the simple pleasures that make life wonderful.
Seize your Om Moment. Embrace the bliss.
