Stillness Of The Pond: The Pond Awakens (Part I)

Hello friends,
In this first part of "Stillness of the Pond", you will be invited to realize the similarity between life events and a stone thrown into a pond, where one action triggers a chain reaction. The idea here is that instead of letting ourselves be affected by things out of our control, we can activate tranquility of mind. In Part II, we will experience it together. As always, your comments and suggestions are appreciated.
Much love,
Anna.
Text, picture, and voice: Anna T. Martin.
Music: Clearing (Winterdagen), by Waterway Music.

Transcript

Hello Friends. Thank you for being here. When we feel uneasy, We tend to believe there is nothing we can do about it. And the more we resist the turbulence, The more we reinforce the fight-or-flight response. But this is not set in stone. Because just as we can feed agitation, We can also learn to let go. And enjoy stillness of body and mind. And that's what we are doing today. Find a comfortable posture. Either sitting or lying down. With your back straight. Gently close your eyes and begin to focus on your breath. Notice the air entering your nostrils. Note the change in temperature as you exhale. The sound it makes. Perhaps the out-breath is a little longer. All you need to do is sit here. Paying attention to your breath. During the first part of this meditation, You'll only be asked to listen. We will do the exercise together in the second part. For now, Simply keep focusing on your breath. Movement of the mind and body is a part of life. Sometimes we would love to control that movement. To slow it down. And when we try, It only gets worse. But it's okay. Because as much as we have no power over events, We can choose how we see them and how we respond to them. Thoughts and twitches are like stones thrown into a pond. Each one creates a ripple. The center is the point of impact. Around it a small circle forms. And around that, A larger one. And so on. The pattern is always the same. The central point carries the strongest vibration. As that vibration spreads to each new circle, It weakens. The further it travels toward the edge of the pond, The softer it becomes. Until it fades into the ground around and below. Life events are like stones thrown into a pond. They come and they go. In the exercise that follows in part two, We will simply observe them. And learn to let them be. Before we close this first part, Take three slow breaths. With each exhale, Feel yourself settling deeper into the ground beneath you. You have already begun the journey. The stillness is already here. Notice something to achieve. But as something to remember. If you wish to deepen this practice, Part two, Stillness practice, Rain on the pond, Will guide you through a gentle exercise with raindrops. But take your time. This moment exactly as it is. Is enough. When you are ready, Gently open your eyes. Or rest here a little longer. You are safe. You are held. You are loved. Namaste.