Taking a moment to settle into your space.
If possible,
Going out into some place of nature.
But if that's not available to you right now,
For whatever reason.
.
.
Imagining being in a place in nature.
This can be a real place or one you create in your mind.
Inhaling gently through the nose.
And exhaling out through the mouth.
Progressively extending the exhales slightly longer each time.
Releasing tension you may be holding in your shoulders,
Jaw,
Cheeks.
And forehead.
Inhaling the fresh air,
Whether you're outside or imagining you are.
Taking a moment to notice any subtle scents you may pick up.
Does it smell like rain?
Are there flowers nearby?
Trees.
What season is it?
Can you tell by the smell?
Finding a plant nearby,
Maybe a tree or a flower.
And take time to get close.
Zooming in on some aspect of it.
Maybe the bark or the leaf of a tree.
Or stem,
Or petals of a flower.
Absorb all the visual details.
Just looking.
Not touching.
Taking in the tiny creases of a petal.
The veins in the leaves.
The texture of the bark.
Allowing yourself to go slowly with this process.
No need to rush.
You can even pause this meditation to spend more time observing.
And really feeling into the plant as the living,
Growing thing that it is.
Feeling and observing the life being created.
Once you have observed to your heart's content.
And sense the awe of the life growing before you.
Zoom out.
See the plant you are focusing on within the context of its surroundings.
Maybe a forest or a yard,
A flower bed,
Or a flower by the side of the road.
And zoom out even more.
To the neighborhood.
To the whole city or town.
To the state or province.
To the whole country.
To the whole world.
As you are observing the world as a whole.
Pinpoint your chosen plant.
See how it is part of this greater world.
See that although it may appear small in comparison,
It still has a great impact.
It is here for you.
To observe.
It is here as part of the larger ecosystem to participate in the cycles of life.
It has its roles to play here on Earth.
Here in this lifetime.
Just like every being in existence here now.
Just like you.
Sometimes your role is just to be.
To grow naturally.
Other times your role is to weather the storms and then turn to face the sun.
Remembering that you are one with nature.
Who are one with all other beings on the planet.
You are not separate.
You are connected.
You are not alone.
You are part of a large community.
The community of Earth.
The community of the universe.
Taking time now to breathe and connect with this sense of community.
Maybe you're a visual person,
Imagining yourself performing the role you're meant to.
Or maybe you have a sense of knowing what your role is just by way of connecting to this greater collective consciousness.
Even if you cannot yet tell what the specific role is.
Staying connected and being who you are is enough.
Continuing to breathe here as you relax and feel a community that is surrounding you.
Taking note of how it feels.
And what qualities it has.
Maybe it feels like a warm hug.
Maybe it feels like the presence of a good friend just sitting there next to you.
Whatever this feeling is.
Embrace it.
Get to know it.
And become friends with it.
Get to know it in such a way that you would be able to recognize it anywhere.
You Whenever you're ready,
Beginning to lengthen the inhales.
Bring your awareness back into your body.
And into the present moment.
Refocusing your gaze and taking in your surroundings.
Holding on to those feelings of connectedness.
As you go about your days and weeks,
Take time to pause when you feel those same feelings of community.
And then thank yourself for noticing and pausing to feel it.
And thank the community for always being there,
Whether or not you can see it.
Now giving yourself a little hug and a smile as you return to your day.
