Hello,
And welcome back to session 4 of Stillness Speaks.
My name is Colleen,
And today's practice is called Surrounded by Love,
A meditation on resting in the love that surrounds you.
Even though my childhood was difficult,
I was surrounded by love from my parents,
My big brother,
And the boy who became my husband.
That love has been my steady ground,
No matter what storms came.
Becoming a mother of our two sons deepened that connection in ways I could never have imagined.
The love I feel for them,
And the love I receive in return,
Has shaped me at the deepest level.
But I know that love can take many forms.
It might come through family,
Or through a dear friend who feels like home.
It might arrive in the unconditional loyalty of a pet,
The kindness of a stranger,
The quiet support of a trusted community,
Or the presence of God in your life.
Today,
We'll turn toward the love that has been a part of your journey,
Whether it's love you've known for years,
Love that surprised you,
Or love you're still learning to welcome in.
Let's begin.
Please find a comfortable place to land.
Allowing your body to arrive.
Let your shoulders soften.
Rest your hands gently,
Releasing any grasp.
Soften your belly.
Allowing your breath to move more freely.
Close your eyes and begin to notice the steady rhythm of your breath.
Breathing in and out through your nose.
Allowing each breath to arrive without any rush.
Imagine the space around you filling with a soft,
Warm light.
The shape and color of love as you know it.
It might be golden and bright.
It might be cool and calming.
It might be something you can't quite name,
But you can feel.
Notice how this love meets you.
Wrapping around your body.
Holding you with care.
Reminding you that you are not alone.
Allow yourself to lean into the support beneath you.
Feel the weight of your body resting on the earth.
Release your jaw.
Relax your forehead.
Breathe in the quiet.
Breathe out what you no longer need to hold.
Continue breathing slowly in and out through your nose.
On your next inhale,
Silently repeat to yourself,
I am.
As you exhale,
Silently repeat,
Surrounded by love.
Again,
Inhale,
I am.
Exhale,
Surrounded by love.
Once more on your own.
Let these words settle into your bones.
A reminder.
A truth.
A quiet anchor.
Bringing your awareness now to the place in your heart where love lives.
It may feel like a warmth.
A subtle openness.
Or perhaps it's simply the awareness that your breath is still here.
Proof of your belonging.
Rest here.
Breathe here.
Let yourself be held by the love that has touched your life.
By the love that continues to surround you.
My voice will be quiet for a little while.
Rest here,
Inside the stillness.
Begin to notice the sounds around you.
Feel the support of the earth beneath you.
Gently move your fingers and toes.
Roll your shoulders.
Take a deep breath in.
And an even deeper breath out.
When you're ready,
Softly open your eyes.
Love may not always look the way we expect.
It might arrive quietly,
Without asking for recognition.
It may be imperfect.
But it is always powerful.
May you be well.
May you remember that love can hold you in many forms.
And that you are,
And always have been,
Worthy of being surrounded by it.
