Returning To The Senses

In this simple practice, Clarise invites you to reconnect with three of your senses.

This is a mindfulness practice for beginners or those wishing to bring their practice back to basics. You'll end by absorbing the sounds around you, allowing them to come to you slowly.

Transcript

Welcome, I'm Clarice and I'm so glad you're here. Today's practice is perfect for beginners or anyone wanting to explore their senses. When you're ready to begin, Allow yourself to settle into a comfortable position. You might like to close your eyes or soften your gaze, Allowing the body to settle and soften. Letting your shoulders drop away from the ears, Loosening the jaw, And placing your feet in contact with the floor or surface beneath you. Focusing on where your feet make contact with the floor, Experiencing the feeling of the soles or sides of your feet as they touch the ground, Bringing your attention to your toes, Noticing any sensations in the toes, Allowing the floor to ground you. Bringing your attention now to where your body touches the surface beneath you, Perhaps a chair or the bed, And exploring where your body feels most supported. What sensations can you feel on your skin? Do you notice the feeling of your clothes? Perhaps you feel a breeze skimming across the surface of your skin? Noticing the sensations that are present for you. Now moving to sense of taste. What tastes can you notice in your mouth? Perhaps something you ate or drank? The mint of your toothpaste? Perhaps there's nothing much to taste at all, Just noticing and focusing on the sense of taste. You may notice that your mind has wandered. That's okay. Your mind is doing what minds do. You can gently invite your mind to come back to focus on this sense. You're aware of the fact a thought has come. This is you practicing mindfulness. Bringing your attention to sound now. Noticing what you can hear on your right side and on the left. Allowing the sounds to come to you. We don't need to strain to hear more. We'll just allow them to present themselves. Focusing on sound without judgement, Without labelling a sound for what it is, Or as good or bad. Accepting all of the sounds that come. Noticing the sounds that are closer and further away. Focusing only on sound. Letting go of the focus on sound. Becoming ready to come back to the present moment. Perhaps gently wiggling the fingers and the toes. Maybe bringing the body into a stretch. And whenever you're ready, With no rush at all, Opening your eyes and re-familiarising yourself with your surroundings. Thank you for practicing with me today. Perhaps you'd like to ask yourself how you can connect with your senses today. Thank you.