Welcome.
Today we come together on a day.
That holds a very special place.
In the heart of every Indian.
August 15.
India's independent state.
A day that reminds us of freedom.
Freedom that was dreamed of.
Far too long.
And ultimately earned through courage.
Sacrifice.
Determination and unity.
As we remember the freedom of our nation.
I invite you to explore.
Another kind of freedom.
The inner freedom.
The freedom that begins within us.
So find a comfortable position.
You can sit peacefully.
With your spine gently upright.
Or you can lie down if that feels more comfortable.
Allow your hands to rest naturally.
And when you are ready.
Gently close your eyes.
Take a slow,
Deep breath in through your nose.
And slowly breathe out.
Again,
Breathing deeply.
Exhale completely.
One more time.
Inhale.
And let go.
For the next few minutes.
There is nowhere else you need to be.
Nothing you need to achieve.
Simply allow yourself to be present.
Paint your bodies.
You Feel your breath.
Feel the support beneath you.
And allow yourself to become completely still.
Remembering our freedom.
Today.
As we celebrate India's independence.
Take a moment to remember the journey that brought us here.
Imagine India before independence.
Imagine.
The generations of people.
Wished for.
A free nation.
People who stood with courage.
People who raised their voices.
People who made sacrifice.
People who gave up their comfort,
Their security.
And for many,
Their very lives.
Some of their names are remembered by history.
Many others remain unknown.
Each of them became part of India's journey towards freedom.
Take a moment to honor them.
Not only the famous leaders.
But also the ordinary people who showed extraordinary courage.
The mothers,
The fathers,
Young people.
The workers,
The farmers.
The students.
The countless people who believed that India would be free.
Take a slow breath in.
And as you breathe out,
Silently say,
Thank you.
Thanks for your courage.
Thank you for the sacrifice.
Thank you for the freedom we experienced today.
Now gently bring your awareness back to yourself.
Because freedom is not only something that exists outside us.
Freedom can also be an experience within us.
We can live in free country.
And still feel trapped by fear.
Trapped by expectations.
Strapped myself down.
Trapped by the need to please everyone.
Trapped by our past.
Trapped by thoughts that tell us we are not enough?
Today on Independence Day,
Allow yourself to reflect.
What does freedom mean to me?
Maybe freedom means being able to express who you truly are.
Maybe it means having the courage to follow your own path.
Maybe it means.
.
.
Letting go of something you have been carrying for a long time.
Maybe it means forgiving yourself.
Maybe it means releasing the fear of what others might think.
Or perhaps Freedom simply means being at peace with yourself.
There is no right or wrong answer.
Just notice what comes to you.
Now bring your attention to your breath.
As we inhale.
Imagine you are creating space within yourself.
As EXC,
Imagine releasing what no longer needs to be carried.
Inhale,
Creating space.
Exhale,
Letting go.
Again,
Inhale.
Creating space XA release.
Now imagine that every breath is gently opening a door within you.
A door to greater acceptance.
Greater courage.
Greater piece.
Greater freedom.
You don't need to force anything.
You don't need to change anything right now.
Simply breathe.
Allow yourself to experience a moment of freedom from doing.
Freedom from rushing.
Freedom from expectations.
Freedom from needing to be anywhere other than here.
Now.
Bring an image of India into your mind.
See the vastness of this country.
The mountains.
The rivers.
The ocean.
In the villages.
The city is.
The feelings.
The four X's.
The countless homes and communities.
And imagine the Indian tricolor rising gently into the sky.
Saffron the color of courage and sacrifice.
White,
The color of peace and truth.
Green representing growth,
Life and prosperity.
And at the center the Soak Chakra.
Are you mind that life?
And the nation.
You must.
Continued to move forward.
As you visualize the flag,
Notice what you feel.
Perhaps gratitude?
Perhaps pride.
For hip's peace.
Or perhaps something else.
Whatever you feel.
Allow it to be present.
India's strength has always been in its diversity.
Different languages.
Different traditions,
Cultures,
Way of life.
And yet one shared identity.
One shared land.
One shared story.
Just a nation becomes stronger when its people come together.
We become stronger when the different parts of ourselves come together.
Always training.
Our weakness,
Our past,
Present,
Dreams.
Fears.
Nothing needs to be rejected.
We can learn to hold all of it with full awareness.
And perhaps that too is a form of freedom.
Take a slow breathing.
And ask yourself quietly.
What am I ready to be free from?
You Don't search for an answer.
Just listen.
Maybe it is fear.
Maybe it is self-doubt.
Maybe it is comparison.
Maybe it is the need for approval.
Maybe it is an old story about yourself.
Maybe it is simply the habit of being too hard on yourself.
Whatever comes to mind.
Don't judge it.
Simply.
Acknowledge.
And with your next exhalation.
Imagine.
Creating a little more space around it.
Now silently repeat.
I give myself permission to be myself.
I give myself permission to grow.
I give myself permission to let go.
Stop it!
I choose courage over fear.
I choose peace over constant struggle.
I honour the freedom I have been given.
And I use it with responsibility and gratitude.
Slowly bring your awareness back to your breath.
Notice the natural rhythm of your breathing.
Notice your body.
Notice the space around you.
Take one deep breathe in.
And slowly breathe out.
As we celebrate India's Independence Day.
May we remember that freedom is both a gift and a responsibility.
May we honor those who sacrificed for our nation's freedom.
May we respect the diversity that makes India unique.
Take one final deep breath in and out.
And exceed.
In gratitude.
Gratitude for the past.
Present.
And hope for the brightest future.
When you are ready,
Gently bring your hands together at your heart.
Bow your head slightly.
And honor the country that we call home.
Happy Independence Day,
India!
Jai Hind.
