Coffee Service

Rituals for slowing down and connecting with what matters

Ever since watching the first Dune movie, I have become a massive fan of the world that Frank Herbert created. After watching the movie, I started the book series and absolutely devoured all 6 of the core books. While there are countless amazing parts of the world of Dune, my favorite part of Dune is the Fremen culture.

In the Fremen culture, they have a ritual called coffee service. Since water is sacred on the planet of Arrakis, the process of making coffee is a slow and intentional process. In book one, Paul wins a coffee service set from Jamis after he kills him in battle. In book two, this set is used nightly. Chani, Paul's soulmate, brings him coffee every night. This ritual is more than just a Fremen ritual; it is a time for Chani and Paul to connect, talk, and be together. This is a ritual that I have adopted in my own way ever since reading about it.

Every morning, before going to my desk to start working, I make coffee in a Bialetti Moka Pot. It is a simple device. It's fully analog, has been around for nearly 100 years, and makes deliciously strong coffee. While I was not trying to simulate a Fremen coffee service, I serendipitously stumbled upon what I could see as the tools to have one. The process of making it takes a bit of time, it's a physical process, and it takes about 5 minutes for it to brew—filling my house with a delicious aroma. I look forward to the process every day.

While I am not telling you to get a Moka Pot and make meticulous coffee every morning, I am telling you that rituals like this are valuable to have. I do recommend finding a ritual or multiple rituals that are a cleansing time for you. A time for you to think, wander off into fantasy, or connect with a loved one.

In my experience, the ritual should be as analog and manual as possible. You should try to limit any form of multitasking during this time. Don't hop on a call, join a work meeting, read emails, and especially doom scroll. Take this time for you and for people in your home. Just be with yourself and/or your loved ones.

I believe these types of rituals are essential in our hustle and hyper-connected lives. We need rituals that slow us down and foster presence. We need to put down our glowing rectangles, stop pecking at keys, and just be.

Personally, I have a few rituals like this I do, but my version of coffee service is my favorite. During the week, I am alone in the kitchen, as my wife needs to be at her desk before me. But on weekends, my wife is usually with me. We spend this time talking and just being with each other. It is the catalyst for slowing.

I implore you to find your version of a coffee service. Rituals like this can set your day up for success. With each passing day, we as people need more of these rituals—ways to slow down and connect with what really matters.