Let It Be Easy

We don’t get to a a more easeful practice through effort and striving. Rather, we sink into a more relaxing practice through letting go of expectations and accepting what is. In this practice, there will be direction to support you in reducing effort and over-striving in order to find a sense of ease in your practice.

Transcript

Coming into stillness, Finding a comfortable posture, Whether it be seated or lying down. And I want you to really ask yourself here if you could be just 5% more comfortable. And if something comes to mind, Putting a sweater on or shifting your position, Take the time now to really get settled so you can really enjoy the next five minutes of stillness. It's a small act of self-compassion, Giving yourself what you need here. As you're ready, Go ahead and close the eyes or lower the gaze. This is helping to turn the attention inwards and away from all of the distractions around you, Relaxing all the small muscles of the face, The jaw, Relaxing the abdomen, Moving the shoulders away from the ears. This practice is called Let It Be Easy because this practice is really focused on finding a sense of ease, Effortlessness. So beginning now to find the breath. The breath will be our anchor for this practice, The object of our focus. Breath is always an anchor into the present moment. So when the mind wanders, Which it will, The breath invites us back into the here and now and out of where our mind has taken us, Usually to the past or to something coming up, Getting curious here. How does the breath feel in the body today? You might notice cool air coming in through the nostrils and the slightly warmer air being exhaled across the upper lip. You might notice the breath more in the rise and fall of the chest, Or perhaps you feel it the most in the ribcage or abdomen. So I invite you to get even more specific, Fine-tuning your anchor. So using not just the breath as the anchor, But really pinpointing where you feel that breath the most in your body. Let it be easy. There's any unnecessary effort you notice has crept in, Perhaps through tension in the body, Or in the mind, Judging yourself for the mind wandering. It's noticing this and letting it melt away. Let it be easy. Reminding yourself that there's nothing to achieve here. You don't have to have any certain experience. And so letting go of all expectations for what you thought this practice would feel like today, And letting it be what it is. Savoring the last five breaths of your practice here.