How a simple cup can become an anchor in the journey of recovery

Walk into almost any recovery meeting and you'll find a coffee pot. Usually old, usually dripping, always on.

This isn't coincidence. Coffee and recovery have been intertwined for decades—not because coffee is a substitute for alcohol or drugs, but because it serves a different purpose entirely.

Coffee in recovery is about connection. Community. Having something warm to hold, something to share, something that brings people together in a way that water or soda simply doesn't.

We're not experts on recovery or spirituality. We're enthusiasts—people who've struggled and are working hard to do better. This piece shares what we've learned about coffee's role in that journey. If you're in recovery, considering it, or supporting someone who is, we hope it offers something useful.

The Meeting Room Coffee Pot

The coffee at most recovery meetings isn't fancy. Weak drip, sometimes burnt, served in styrofoam cups. Nobody goes to meetings for the coffee quality.

But that pot serves a function beyond caffeine. There's something almost magical about it—a warm elixir that brings people together in a way that a bottle of water or can of soda never could.

Connection catalyst: Coffee creates natural opportunities to connect. "Is there cream?" becomes a way to start a conversation without the pressure of profound sharing. Standing around the pot, you're just people, together.

Community marker: Making the coffee, cleaning up after—these small acts of service are how people find belonging. The coffee pot creates entry points for participation and contribution.

Warmth in your hands: There's something grounding about holding a warm cup. When emotions rise or attention wanders, you have something physical to return to. The warmth, the weight, the familiar motion of sipping.

A reason to stay: Coffee gives you permission to linger. To stick around after. To be present with others without needing an excuse.

It doesn't matter if it's a fancy pour-over or basic drip from a diner pot. Coffee has a quality—call it ritual, call it magic—that creates space for human connection. That's why it's been part of recovery culture for generations.

Why Ritual Matters in Recovery

Addiction is, among other things, a ritual disorder.

Think about the patterns: the preparation, the anticipation, the act itself, the aftermath. Using isn't just a chemical event—it's a choreographed sequence of behaviors, sensations, and associations.

When you remove the substance, the ritual void remains.

Recovery requires filling that void with something. Not replacing one addiction with another, but building new rituals that serve life instead of destroying it.

Morning rituals replace the wake-up drink or hit.
Evening rituals replace the numbing-out routine.
Social rituals replace the drinking buddies and using partners.
Stress rituals replace the reach for relief.

Coffee can serve all of these. The act of making and drinking coffee provides structure, sensory engagement, and temporal marking—without the destruction.

Coffee as Grounding Practice

In early recovery especially, the mind can be a dangerous neighborhood. Anxiety, craving, racing thoughts, depression—the internal weather is unpredictable and often severe.

Grounding techniques help. They bring attention out of the catastrophizing mind and into the present moment. Common approaches include:

• Focusing on physical sensations
• Engaging the senses deliberately
• Completing simple, concrete tasks

Coffee-making offers all of this.

The process grounds you: Measuring beans, heating water, watching the brew—each step requires just enough attention to pull you out of spiraling thoughts.

The senses engage: The smell of grinding beans. The sound of water heating. The warmth of the cup. The taste on your tongue. Five senses, all present.

The completion satisfies: Unlike the endless loops of addictive thinking, making coffee has a clear beginning, middle, and end. Task complete. Something accomplished.

For someone whose brain is learning to function without substances, these small completions matter. They rebuild the capacity for normal satisfaction.

The Spiritus Story

We should be transparent: this topic is personal.

Spiritus Coffee exists because its founders found coffee during dark times. Not as a solution or a cure, but as a practice. An anchor. A way to show up for the day when showing up felt impossible.

The name "Spiritus" comes from Carl Jung's phrase spiritus contra spiritum—spirit against spirits. Jung believed that addiction often represented a misguided spiritual seeking, and that genuine spiritual connection could serve as an antidote.

We're not claiming to have answers. We're not experts on recovery or spirituality—just people who've struggled, who are still working hard to do better, and who found that coffee helped along the way. Not the caffeine itself, but the practice of it. The ritual. The connection it creates.

Coffee became one of those practices for us. Spiritus is our way of sharing it.

Still Here: Coffee with Purpose

This connection to recovery is why we created Still Here Coffee.

It's a blend with a specific purpose: 100% of proceeds—not profits, proceeds—go to mental health and addiction recovery organizations.

Recipients include:

• NAMI DuPage — National Alliance on Mental Illness, local chapter
• 516 Light Foundation — Addiction recovery support

The name "Still Here" acknowledges something simple: for many of us, being here wasn't guaranteed. Every day we wake up and get to make coffee, get to do the work, get to be present—that's not nothing.

If you're still here, you're doing something right.

Learn more about Still Here Coffee →

Building Your Recovery Coffee Ritual

If you want to be more intentional about coffee as a recovery practice, here are some starting points:

Make It Manual

Automatic drip machines work, but they remove you from the process. Consider:

• French press: Simple, tactile, requires attention
• Pour over: Meditative, slower, engaging
• Moka pot: Ritual-heavy, sensory-rich

The more hands-on the process, the more grounding potential.

Create Consistency

Recovery thrives on routine. Same coffee, same time, same process—this isn't boring, it's stabilizing.

Your morning coffee can become a non-negotiable anchor. The day begins with this ritual, regardless of how you feel. That consistency builds over time.

Stay Present During the Process

Don't make coffee while scrolling your phone. Don't brew while planning your day in your head.

Just make the coffee. Smell what you're smelling. Feel what you're feeling. Be where you are.

This is mindfulness practice wearing work clothes.

Notice Without Judging

Some days the coffee will be perfect. Some days you'll burn it, under-extract it, forget about it.

Notice what happens without turning it into a story about yourself. Recovery teaches this: observe, accept, adjust, continue.

Use It as a Bridge to Connection

Coffee is social. Invite someone for coffee. Meet your sponsor at a café. Bring good beans to your home group.

The isolation of addiction dissolves through connection. Coffee creates contexts for that connection.

What Coffee Won't Do

We should be clear about limitations.

Coffee won't keep you sober. It won't treat underlying mental health conditions. It won't replace therapy, meetings, medication, or whatever combination of support you need.

Coffee is a ritual, not a treatment. It can support recovery; it can't create it.

If you're struggling, please reach out to real resources:

• SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Call or text 988
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): nami.org
• Find local recovery meetings: samhsa.gov/find-help

Coffee is a complement to the real work, not a substitute for it.

For Those Supporting Someone in Recovery

If you love someone in recovery, you might wonder how to help.

Consider: coffee together.

Not to fix anything. Not to have heavy conversations. Just to be present with them, sharing a simple ritual.

"Want to grab coffee?" is one of the least threatening invitations you can offer. It creates space without pressure. It says: I'm here, we can talk or not, either way we'll share this moment.

Sometimes that's exactly what's needed.

The Invitation

If you're in recovery, we see you. The work you're doing is hard. The fact that you're doing it matters.

If coffee can be part of what supports you—not as escape, but as grounding—we're honored to provide it.

Every bag of Spiritus is roasted with intention. Every cup is an invitation to be present. And Still Here exists specifically to support the community of people doing this work.

You're still here. That's something.

Sip in the moment.

Shop Still Here Coffee →

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Learn About Our Story →

Spiritus Coffee Co.
Roasted with intention. Delivered with care.
Coffee with a Soul.

Resources

• SAMHSA National Helpline: 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential, 24/7)
• 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988 (call or text)
• NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): nami.org
• NAMI DuPage: namidupageil.org
• 516 Light Foundation: 516lightfoundation.org
• Find local recovery meetings: samhsa.gov/find-help

How to transform your morning coffee from mindless habit into grounding practice

There's a version of coffee that happens on autopilot. Stumble to the kitchen. Push the button. Pour the cup. Drink while scrolling. Barely taste it.

And then there's another way.

Coffee as ritual. Coffee as anchor. Coffee as a few minutes of actual presence in a day that will otherwise fly by without you noticing.

This guide is about the second way.

What Is Coffee Ritual?

A ritual is different from a routine.

Routine is what you do without thinking. It's efficient. It's automatic. It gets you caffeinated.

Ritual is what you do with intention. It's a practice. It invites presence. It grounds you in the moment before the day carries you away.

The physical actions might look similar—grind beans, heat water, brew coffee, drink. But the quality of attention transforms everything.

When you make coffee as ritual:

• You're present while you make it
• You notice the process—the smell, the steam, the sound
• You taste what you're drinking
• The cup becomes a pause, not just a pit stop

This isn't about being precious or performative. It's about reclaiming a few minutes of your own attention.

The History of Coffee as Spiritual Practice

Coffee and contemplation have always been connected.

The earliest coffee drinkers weren't commuters. They were Sufi mystics in Yemen, who discovered that coffee helped them stay alert during long nights of prayer and meditation. They called it qahwa—a word that also meant wine—and treated it as a tool for spiritual focus.

In Ethiopia, where coffee originated, the coffee ceremony (buna) remains a ritual of community and presence. The process takes hours. Green beans are roasted over a fire, ground by hand, brewed in a clay pot. The ceremony is about slowing down, connecting, being together.

When coffee reached Europe, coffeehouses became places of conversation, creativity, and intellectual exchange. The café was a "third place"—neither home nor work—where you went to think, talk, and be human.

The thread through all of this: coffee creates a container for presence. A reason to pause. An invitation to be here.

At Spiritus, we see ourselves as carrying forward this lineage. The name itself—Spiritus—means both "breath" and "spirit." It's a reminder that every cup is an opportunity to return to yourself.

Creating Your Coffee Ritual

You don't need expensive equipment or an hour of free time. You need intention.

Here's a simple framework:

1. Create Space

Before you touch the coffee, take a breath. Just one conscious breath.

Notice where you are. Notice how you feel. Acknowledge that you're about to do something you do every day—but today, you're going to actually be here for it.

This takes five seconds. It changes everything.

2. Engage Your Senses

Coffee is a sensory experience. Most of the time, we skip right past it.

Smell the beans before you grind them. Really smell them. Notice what's there—chocolate? Fruit? Earth?

Listen to the grind. The sound of beans breaking down has a particular quality.

Watch the water interact with the grounds. If you're doing pour-over, watch the bloom—that initial release of gas when hot water hits fresh coffee.

Feel the warmth of the cup in your hands before you drink.

Taste the first sip. Don't just confirm that it's coffee. Notice. Is it bright? Heavy? Sweet? Bitter?

You don't have to analyze. Just notice.

3. Minimize Distractions

This is the hard part.

The pull to grab your phone while coffee brews is strong. The habit of drinking while scrolling or working or watching is deep.

For the ritual to work, you have to resist—at least for a few minutes.

Make the coffee without your phone in your hand. Drink the first few sips without input. Let it just be you and the cup.

This might feel uncomfortable. That discomfort is information. It tells you how rarely you're actually alone with your own attention.

4. Use the Pause

A coffee ritual creates natural pauses. Use them.

While the water heats: stand still.
While the coffee brews: breathe.
While you drink: just drink.

These pauses are the practice. They're where presence lives.

5. Close Intentionally

At some point, the ritual ends and the day begins. Notice that transition.

You might take a final sip and mentally acknowledge: I'm ready. Or simply set down the empty cup with awareness that this moment is complete.

Endings matter. They keep rituals from dissolving into the next thing.

Coffee Ritual for Different Brewing Methods

The framework applies regardless of how you brew. Here's how it might look:

Pour Over

Pour over is naturally ritualistic—it demands attention.

• Grind: Weigh your beans, grind fresh. Notice the texture.
• Bloom: Pour just enough water to wet the grounds. Watch them release gas and expand. Wait 30-45 seconds.
• Pour: Slow, circular pours. Stay present with the motion.
• Watch: The coffee drips through. There's nothing to do but wait and witness.
• Drink: You've earned this cup. Taste it.

French Press

French press has a built-in pause: the four-minute steep.

• Grind coarse. Feel the difference from pour over.
• Pour water. Watch the grounds swirl and float.
• Wait. Four minutes. Don't fill them with your phone. Just wait.
• Press slowly. Feel the resistance.
• Drink. Notice the fuller body, the oils.

Drip Machine

Even automated brewing can be ritual.

• Prepare mindfully. Measure water, measure coffee. Do it with attention.
• Start the machine. Instead of walking away, stay. Listen to the sounds.
• Smell. The kitchen fills with aroma. Breathe it in.
• Pour and pause. Before the first sip, just hold the cup.

Espresso

Espresso is fast, but intensity can be its own form of presence.

• Dial in. Adjusting grind, dose, and timing requires attention.
• Watch the shot. 25-30 seconds of transformation. Don't look away.
• Drink immediately. Espresso is alive for only moments. Honor that.

Overcoming Resistance

If you've never practiced intentional presence, coffee ritual might feel awkward at first. You might think:

"This is ridiculous. It's just coffee."
"I don't have time for this."
"I feel stupid standing here doing nothing."

That resistance is normal. It's the habituated mind, uncomfortable with stillness.

Keep going. The discomfort fades. What remains is a genuine oasis in your day—a few minutes that belong to you.

And here's the thing: you're not adding time. You already make coffee. You already drink it. You're just changing the quality of attention while you do.

The Ripple Effect

Something interesting happens when you practice presence with coffee.

It starts to spread.

You might notice yourself eating breakfast more slowly. Pausing before you answer an email. Taking a breath before reacting to something stressful.

Coffee ritual is a gateway practice. It trains your attention in a low-stakes, enjoyable context. Then that trained attention shows up elsewhere.

One cup. Then everything.

Coffee Ritual and Recovery

For some of us, coffee ritual has special significance.

In recovery from addiction—whether alcohol, drugs, or other substances—ritual becomes essential. The addictive behavior was often ritualized: the preparation, the anticipation, the act itself. When you remove that, there's a void.

Coffee can fill part of that void. A ritual that's grounding, not destructive. Anticipation without harm. A practice of presence that supports sobriety rather than undermining it.

At Spiritus, this is personal. Our founders discovered coffee as a practice during their own difficult times. It wasn't just a beverage—it was an anchor. A way to return to themselves when everything felt unsteady.

If this resonates with you, know that you're not alone. And know that the simple act of making and drinking coffee with intention can be part of your healing.

For more on this topic, see our piece on Coffee and Recovery: The Role of Ritual in Sobriety.

Starting Your Practice

You don't need to overhaul your mornings. Start small.

Day 1: Take one conscious breath before you make coffee.

Day 2: Put your phone in another room while brewing.

Day 3: Drink the first three sips without doing anything else.

Day 4-7: Combine the above. Notice what shifts.

Week 2+: Expand. Engage your senses. Use the brewing time as a pause. Close the ritual intentionally.

That's it. No equipment required. No expertise necessary. Just willingness.

Coffee for the Ritual

If you're going to practice presence with coffee, the coffee should be worth being present for.

Stale coffee—the kind that's been sitting on a shelf for months—offers little. Flat, muted, forgettable.

Fresh coffee is alive. The aroma is full. The flavors are distinct. There's something there to notice.

This is why we roast to order at Spiritus. Your coffee is roasted within 48 hours of shipping, with the roast date on every bag. When you open it, you're smelling coffee at its peak—not a faded memory of what coffee once was.

Ritual deserves real coffee.

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The Invitation

This isn't a slogan. It's a spiritual invitation.

Every morning, you have a choice. Autopilot or awareness. Routine or ritual. Scrolling through life or actually living it.

Coffee won't fix everything. But it can be a start. A few minutes of genuine presence. A practice that compounds over time. A way back to yourself.

The cup is in your hands.

Sip in the moment.

Spiritus Coffee Co.
Consciously crafted. Roasted with intention.
Coffee with a Soul.

Sip in the Moment:

Mindfulness coffee tasting is a unique way to practice mindfulness in daily life, allowing you to savor every sip and focus on the present moment.

Transform your coffee routine into a mindfulness ritual. Learn how to savor every sip and embrace the present moment with Spiritus Coffee Co.

What Is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the art of being fully present in the moment, observing without judgment. Often, it starts with a simple focal point, such as the breath, and can expand to include sounds, sensations, and even tastes.

Exploring Areas of Focus in Mindfulness

• The Breath: A natural anchor, always present and flowing effortlessly.
• Sounds: Notice sounds as they arise and fade. These occur in the now, not in the past or future.
• Physical Sensations: Feel your body against a chair, the floor, or the warmth of a mug in your hands.
• Sights: Observe your visual field with eyes open or closed, noticing light, colors, and patterns.
• Tastes: Savor the complexity of flavors in your coffee. Each sip is a mindful moment to explore.

How Mindfulness Coffee Tasting Enhances the Moment

Coffee tasting is an ideal mindfulness exercise, engaging all your senses and encouraging a slower, more intentional pace. Here’s how you can turn your coffee into a meditative ritual:

1. Engage Your Senses: Begin by appreciating the aroma and visuals of your coffee.
2. Savor the Flavor: Take small sips and let the flavors unfold on your palate.
3. Feel the Warmth: Notice the warmth of the mug and the coffee as you drink.
4. Listen to the Process: Pay attention to the sounds of brewing and pouring.

The Purpose of This Practice

Mindful coffee tasting is about more than enjoying a delicious cup—it’s about being fully present. This practice helps you appreciate the nuances of coffee while fostering a sense of peace and connection.

How to Sip in the Moment

Ready to start your mindfulness journey? Follow these simple steps:

1. Prepare Your Space: Find a quiet spot and set up your coffee ritual.
2. Set an Intention: Take a deep breath and commit to being present.
3. Follow the Steps: Use the guide above to engage all your senses during the experience.
4. Practice Daily: Make mindful coffee tasting a regular part of your routine.

Developing Your Taste with Spiritus Coffee Co.

At Spiritus Coffee Co., we craft specialty coffee to inspire mindfulness. Our ethically sourced beans are roasted with care, creating flavors that elevate your experience. Explore our collection and start your journey toward mindful coffee tasting.

Shop Spiritus Coffee

Conclusion: Sip in the Moment

Mindfulness is a gift that enriches your day, and coffee offers a perfect opportunity to practice. By focusing on the flavors in your cup, you cultivate presence, gratitude, and connection. Let Spiritus Coffee Co. guide you as you sip in the moment and savor the now.

Learn more about mindfulness

Health Benefits of Coffee

• “Learn more about our coffee here.”

The History of Coffee's Connection to Spirituality

Coffee has a long history of being connected to spirituality and meditation. It is believed that the first people to consume coffee were Yemeni Sufi mystics who used it to stay awake during their prayers and meditations. Coffee has also been connected to both religions and paganism due to its ability to bring people together, the mindful nature of the brewing process, and the awakening effect which was said to help us transcend the material world.

Personal Experience with the Spirit of Coffee

For many people, coffee has a special place in their hearts and can be a source of comfort and connection. In my personal experience, coffee provided a place to think about the day and time to ponder life's little things in a peaceful setting. It also helped to bring me into the present moment and combat the constantly changing stream of thoughts that cursed my focus ability.

In high school, I would frequent a small cafe located in a nearby city with a more active downtown. The neighborhood seemed hip and edgy with galleries and record shops. It was there that I found my people, the artists and the outcasts. I finally felt at home. When I arrived at the cafe, I would get a coffee with cream, watching the milk swirl while I would people-watch, find a game of chess, or journal and write poetry. During those times, it was places like these that became my church. It gave me the break I needed, a place to think about the day and time to ponder all the little things in life. The focal point of the ritual was always coffee, which has held a special place in my heart ever since I started drinking it as a way to combat the constantly changing channel of my thoughts and bring me into the present moment.

The Role of Coffee in Sufi Mysticism

"Qahwat al-Sufiyya" is a term that is roughly translated as "the enjoyment which the people of God feel in beholding the hidden mysteries and attaining the wonderful disclosures and the great revelations." It is believed to be an experience that can be facilitated by consuming coffee with the proper religious intention.

Sufi mystics in Yemen were some of the earliest known users of coffee. They used coffee to stay awake during their rituals and to strengthen their spiritual connection to God while reciting sacred chants. According to some accounts, the mystics believed that coffee could facilitate the experience of "qahwat al-Sufiyya" when consumed with the proper intention. This experience was considered to be a way of attaining a deeper understanding and connection to the divine.

Coffee played a significant role in Sufi mysticism in Yemen, where it was consumed during rituals to stay awake late into the night. The mystics also believed that coffee could facilitate the experience of "qahwat al-Sufiyya," or the enjoyment of beholding hidden mysteries and attaining great revelations when consumed with the proper religious intention. Coffee was also shared in a common bowl and passed around, bringing people together in a communal setting.

Coffee's Place in Modern Spirituality and Community

In modern times, coffee continues to hold a special place in spirituality and community. It can be a source of connection and ritual, providing a moment of peace and mindfulness in a hectic world. Spiritus Coffee Co. was founded with the intention of encouraging people to "Sip in the moment," We recognize the power of coffee to bring people together and create meaningful connections. We are committed to sourcing the highest quality coffee beans and roasting them with intention and consciousness, bringing our best to your preferred brewing method and favorite mug. We also believe in giving back to our community, Join us in celebrating the spirit of coffee.

We can't front -- the reason all of us here at Spiritus really focus on "Sipping in the Moment," is because we have to. We can find a million reasons why we're too busy or our lives aren't what we want them to be or how everyone else is out to get us. Sometimes, that is an entertaining lark, but more often, it's just painful to sit and think about ourselves all the time.

Meditation and ritual allow for some time to let all the chatter slide away and let us be in the present moment. What is actually going on, right here, right now? Are we fed and clothed? Are we in (fairly) good health? Do we get to enjoy the things we have created and been given? Almost always, those answers are "yes" if we take the time to truly examine our current reality.

One of our friends is good at reminding us to look at where are feet are. Meaning, right where you're standing -- what's happening? The fight you're practicing in your head -- is the person in front of you? The disaster you think looming on the horizon at work -- has anyone told you that things are going poorly? The myriad scenarios in which everyone is unhoused, there are no friends left, your pets die, you die -- are any of those based in reality?

Finding gratitude in the day-to-day is really remarkable insofar as being able to change our attitudes. Even so, we're always annoyed when it's brought up as a solution. "A *gratitude list?* REALLY?" Really. Part of our resistance is that we think we need to find all sorts of grand things to be grateful for. But the grand things are all around us. It is perfectly acceptable (and encouraged!) to add that cup of coffee to your gratitude list. The car getting you to work. The crazy menagerie of friends and family you have.

Us? We're grateful for all of you. What sort of things are you grateful for today?

Have you ever heard of NaMoWriMo? It's a challenge to help you get a book written in November by writing a certain amount every day. We don't think most people want to write a book, but it reminds us that taking some time every day to get some thoughts down has been incredibly useful for us.

Another practice is one found in Julia Cameron's An Artist's Way — the book lays out a series of lessons to help you better access the artist in you. But, one of the very first suggestions is to get out a journal every morning and complete three pages of "morning pages." At first, it might just be three pages of "Why did I want to do this?" or "I have to run an errand and clean the house and I hope the weather is nice for the weekend." It doesn't have to be anything deep; it's just a way to get in touch with your inner artist.

You don't have to be an intentional, aspiring artist. There's something about it that helps us get clarity around things we didn't even know we needed clarity on! Also, even we thought that it can't possibly make that much of a difference, the process is really enhanced by getting pen to paper. Obviously, if you can't do that, it's better to tippy-type than not to do it at all. But, we'd be remiss if we didn't let you in on that part.

As the weather turns into a more obvious state of autumn, we encourage you to give daily journaling a try. We're going to set out to do NaMoWriMo... so wish us luck!

Because music is such a part of so many rituals, we continue our series "Ritual: Record," where we ask people what music is part of their ritual when it's time to relax. One of our customers, Tiff T., tells us about one of her ritual records.

You’ve picked this album for a reason – what about it lends itself to “sipping in the moment?”

This was one of my favorite Lumineers albums, and when I decided to purchase it, I was on vacation from work. One of the great things about being on vacation from the work that I do is I can drink as much coffee as I want and not have to worry about what time I drink it, and if it’s going to keep me up, especially if I need to get enough sleep for my long haul to work. So, of course, I spent the day listening and … drinking coffee.

When did you become familiar with it?

I became a fan of their first release "Ho Hey." I really became immersed in their sound, the echo and the pauses, and specifically Wesley Schultz' voice. From that point on, I began following, waiting for any new releases. Then they released the album "Cleopatra," and I knew after the first four songs that I loved it. Then they did a short film, "The Ballad of Cleopatra," and with the visuals, it just sealed it for me.

Are there any specific memories that you think of when you hear a song from this record?

Oh wow, it’s funny you ask, because whenever I listen to the track "Long Way from Home," I always think of summers when I was a kid. We would drive with a family member or close family friends to no particular destination, but we would always run into someone we knew. We would stop and talk, and us kids would run around and play, and when it was over, get back into the car and drive some more. We really didn’t go far from the neighborhood, but it seemed as if we went for a long journey.

What’s your favorite track?

"Angela" is definitely my favorite. I think it’s because of the pace of the song, the story, which was definitely influenced even more by the short film, and certainly Schultz' voice. But there are so many on the album that aren’t too far behind.

If you had three songs by this artist to send to a friend who was totally unfamiliar – what would they be?

"Cleopatra," "Angela," "My Eyes."

Where do you listen (room, atmosphere, what-have-you)?

I have a speaker in the corner near my dining room table which is right next to my patio door. So, every morning there’s this light that breaks through when I open the curtains that not only trickles into my kitchen onto my counter where I make my coffee but it’s just perfect for when I sit to drink my cup of coffee and write. It’s my work mornings, weekend mornings, and vacation mornings cafe spot.

Thanks so much to Tiff. Now, what inspires you? What song or album do you come back to again and again?

What is the perfect music to “Sip in the Moment?”

Send your responses to info@spirituscoffee.com, and you can find your favorite records showcased here.

One way to get in the moment is to put on a favorite record and let the rest of the world fade away. We asked our Marketing Director, Jocelyn, to tell us what album goes perfectly with a cup of Spiritus coffee. She reserves the right to change her answer/s at any time. (Also, if this is something you’d like to contribute to, email us at info@spirituscoffee.com!)

Album: Change Everything
Artist: Del Amitri
Year: 1992

Tell us a bit about Del Amitri:
They’re a band from Glasgow, Scotland. Like a few bands I adore, they are most known for a one-hit wonder (“Roll To Me”) that doesn’t come close to being their best song. But like the other bands (Semisonic, Fountains of Wayne), most people would jump at the chance to write a song that is as good as a song that isn’t even Del Amitri’s best.

You’ve picked this album for a reason – what about it lends itself to “sipping in the moment?”
This is an album that I can (and have, hundreds of times) listen to all the way through, start to finish, no skips, no breaks. It’s an album that has some up-tempo songs, but even those follow along the album’s themes of heartbreak and jealousy and romance gone wrong. You know, super positive music [laughter]. But, because I can just start it and let it go, I can take a moment to zone out or write in my journal or take a walk to it — all things that keep me in the present.

How did you come across it?
I worked at my college radio station from 1991-1993, so I was exposed to so many things I had never encountered before. WONC (89.1 FM out of Naperville) was known for the “Finest of the classics and the best of the new,” but this was when “Alternative” was just starting to make an appearance. We’d play the Grateful Dead and Neil Young along with Billy Joel and James Taylor — and quickly adding another wide variety with Nirvana and Indigo Girls and Teenage Fanclub and King Missile and … Del Amitri. I fell in love right away.

Are there any specific memories that you think of when you hear a song from this record?
I think of late nights at the station and situations in college that mirrored several of the songs on the record. I think of my own first heartbreak, and countless times at Double Door seeing the band live.

What’s your favorite track?
Woof. I think all of them are fantastic, but I’d say two are tied for first: “Be My Downfall” and “Always the Last to Know.”

If you had three songs by this artist from any album to send to a friend who was totally unfamiliar – what would they be?
Definitely “Be My Downfall” from Change Everything, “Kiss this Thing Goodbye” from Waking Hours, and “Tell Her This” from Twisted.

Where do you listen (room, atmosphere, what-have-you)?
Good question. Normally, in the house, but I think I’m going to listen in the car next time I take a drive.

Well, that’s Jocelyn’s (current) Ritual record. What inspires you? What song or album do you come back to again and again? What is the perfect music to “Sip in the Moment?”

“Yes, yes, we know. Mindfulness, meditation, meaningful activity. But what are you really talking about?” Oh, dear reader, we feel you. While studies have shown that meditation and practices of mindfulness help with anxiety and stress, it feels like we are always given very vague suggestions with no concrete way to understand them or what a ritual is. Fear not. We have been where you are, and we want to share some tips and tricks that you can use to enjoy the present moment.

Tips to Create a Ritual

A person, eyes closed, sitting on a cushion in lotus pose, becoming one with the universe. This is definitely meditation. But there are many ways to quiet a mind, and they don’t all look the same. It’s not to say that more traditional forms of meditation aren’t useful – they’ve worked for countless people for thousands of years. But, let’s be honest – the idea of sitting quietly in a very specific position trying to empty the mind sounds like complete agony to many people. And who wants to do something agonizing when we only have so many minutes in a day?

We believe there are many ways to engage with the present moment. As cliché as it seems, a walk really does help. As long as we aren’t scrolling Facebook as we stride, walking really does give us an opportunity to take in our surroundings, to observe things we hadn’t before. We are always amazed by the things we simply look up. Literally – looking at tops of buildings and trees and the ever-changing sky. Try it out sometime – if you’re taking a walk or sitting in your backyard or hanging out at a park – look up. You might be surprised at all of the things you see.

“I don’t have time to take a walk.” Okay, we won’t argue with you. But, we’d like to make another suggestion. All those chores and things on the to-do list? Use them as a way to let your mind wander. Dishes? Vacuuming? Cutting grass? Laundry? In the garden? Be present. Turn off the podcast, the music, the Netflix show in the background. What steps do you need to take? How does the experience feel? What do you love about it? What do you not love so much?

We have found that we often find ourselves in the middle of a never-ending monologue while getting things accomplished. It’s fine! You don’t have to attain a blank slate – meditation is about noticing the things we’re thinking about all day, every day. Recognizing the patterns that we run through; wearing paths into our brains without even knowing where we’re going. Have you ever “come to” after a few minutes of driving and realize you don’t remember actually paying attention to how you got to where you are (eek!)? Our thoughts often function in the same way. We walk and talk and move about the world, but sometimes, we’re so lost in our own headspace, that we don’t even notice how we get from point A to point B.

There are countless ways to bring attention to the present moment. We have found a combination of the strategies above to work the best for our ritual — especially carving out time to create and enjoy the process of brewing coffee. The beginning of the practice is a moving meditation – getting the coffee out, grinding the beans (if that’s your preference), measuring out the right amount, waiting as the coffee brews, selecting your favorite mug or glass. Then, sitting and truly enjoying the moment ... taking in the smell, reading a book, writing in a journal, or just being present while you enjoy your coffee.

This is how we have turned a daily routine into a daily Ritual, and we invite you to do the same.

Follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

We're just making sure you know that we're having a contest! At Spiritus, we always want to bring you delicious, fresh, single-origin coffee. But we are equally invested in incorporating coffee into a higher purpose. And we want you to join us.

We talk about using coffee to enhance and assist us in mindfulness as Ritual. The process of making and enjoying an everyday beverage into an opportunity to “sip in the moment.” But like all spiritual matters, everyone has their own practice(s) even within a shared practice. Our experience shows that we can always learn from others, and we want you to teach us, too.

We want to see your rituals. Your favorite brewing device. The place where you sit and leisurely enjoy a cup. Your latest music discovery, with a fresh cup of coffee nearby. Enter the contest by posting photos and/or videos to Instagram, and make sure to tag @spirituscoffeeco when you post. The top two photos or videos with the most votes will win a prize — a V60 dripper and a bag of Colombian Gesha.

We’ll keep the contest going until July 31st, 2022. So there’s plenty of time to submit photos and tell your friends! We want to give everyone a chance to take home a really nice starter pack to introduce you to Spiritus, and form a Ritual of your own.