Hello and welcome.
This meditation has been created for anyone who is preparing for a blood test and is feeling a little anxious about it.
Perhaps your appointment is tomorrow,
Perhaps you're already on your way,
Or perhaps you're sitting in the waiting room.
Wherever you are,
I'm glad you've chosen to spend a few moments with me.
There's nothing you need to achieve.
For now,
Simply allowing yourself to arrive.
Feeling the support beneath you,
The contact of your feet with the floor.
Perhaps noticing the steadiness of the ground beneath you.
You might even imagine yourself like a strong tree,
Your feet like deep roots resting in the earth,
Supported steady.
Allowing your breath to find its own natural rhythm.
There is nowhere else you need to be.
Nothing needs to happen before it is time.
For now,
You are simply here,
Breathing,
Feeling your feet resting on the ground,
Being supported.
Many people find appointments like this difficult.
However you are feeling today,
There is room for your experience.
Perhaps noticing that this is simply how your mind and body are responding.
It's not right,
It's not wrong,
It's simply like this.
You may also notice another layer.
Perhaps you are judging yourself for finding this difficult,
Wondering why something that seems routine for other people feels challenging for you.
Perhaps thoughts such as,
I should cope better,
Why can't I just get on with it,
If thoughts like these are here,
Simply notice them.
Jatri is here.
Nothing more.
Not needing to believe these thoughts.
Not needing to argue with them.
Gently returning to your breath and to the feeling of your feet on the floor.
If you're listening to this meditation.
The day before.
You may notice your mind travelling into tomorrow,
Planning,
Wandering,
Worrying.
And in the coming hours,
Each time you notice this.
Gently escort yourself home again.
To this breath.
To your feet.
To this moment.
Because this moment is the only one you need to meet right now.
Now that you've found a little more steadiness,
It may be helpful to spend a few moments gently preparing for what lies ahead,
Not to rehearse fear,
But to practice meeting what comes with steadiness and with kindness.
And if at any point this doesn't feel helpful,
You can simply return to your breath.
And to the feeling of your feet on the floor.
Now I invite you to bring to mind the people you will meet,
People whose work is to help others through moments like this,
People who understand that not everyone finds appointments like this easy.
If it feels helpful,
You might simply let the staff know that you're feeling nervous,
Giving them the opportunity to support you in whatever way they can.
I invite you to bring to mind whatever helps you feel steady,
Perhaps a peaceful place in nature.
A faithful companion,
Whether human or animal.
Someone who has shown you kindness.
Your meditation practice.
Or simply your feet resting on the earth beneath you.
Take a moment to feel this steadiness.
Now I invite you to offer yourself a few kind wishes,
Perhaps noticing which of these gentle wishes feels most helpful for you,
One that you might like to carry with you.
May I feel well.
May I feel safe.
May I recognize that this moment will soon pass.
May I meet this experience with kindness.
And now,
If it feels helpful,
Perhaps allowing yourself to imagine the next part of your visit,
Not trying to predict exactly what will happen,
Simply allowing yourself to walk through it gently in your mind.
And if at any point,
Imagining this feels uncomfortable,
You can simply return to the feeling of your feet on the floor,
To your breath,
And rest there instead.
So I invite you to imagine your day being called.
And stand tonight.
Feeling your feet beneath you.
And taking one step and then another.
And as you sit down,
Imagine allowing your whole body to soften.
Your shoulders relax.
The jaw softening.
Your breath natural and gentle.
Perhaps listening to the sound of the person's voice talking to you.
See in their face and allowing their voice,
Their presence,
As well as your breathing and the feeling of your feet on the floor to become gentle anchors for your attention.
And if you start to feel uneasy or uncomfortable,
Simply return into your feet,
To your breathing.
And your kind wishes for yourself.
May I feel well.
May I feel safe.
May I recognise that this moment will soon pass.
May I meet this moment with kindness.
Feeling the ground beneath you,
Supported,
Present.
Here.
The procedure itself is usually brief and each breath brings you a little closer to its end.
You don't need to force yourself to feel calm.
You can carry kindness with you,
Even if some unease comes to.
One moment,
One breath,
And then the next.
May I feel well.
May I feel safe.
May I recognise that this moment will soon pass.
May I meet this experience with kindness.
Before very long it is over.
Perhaps noticing your feet on the floor once again,
Like the roots of a strong tree,
Still supported.
Still steady.
Taking one large comfortable breath in.
And letting out a sigh of relief.
It is over.
Quietly acknowledging the care you have shown yourself today.
Not because everything felt easy,
But because you stayed with yourself,
With kindness.
And perhaps remembering that today,
Many others are also meeting moments that ask something of them,
Some with confidence,
Some with uncertainty,
Some with fears very much like your own.
This is part of being human.
And like all moments,
This one will pass.
May we all feel well.
May we all feel safe.
May we all be supported.
May we all live with greater ease.
When you're ready,
I invite you to gently open your eyes and continue your day.
One breath,
One moment at a time.
I thank you for practicing with me and I hope you find this to be of some help.
