Addiction Recovery Meditation | Working With Craving

Klesha Series • Part Three of Five

Rāga is the attachment to pleasure and the pull toward experiences we believe will complete us. In this meditation, we explore craving with curiosity and compassion through somatic awareness, breath, and mantra. Together, we practice creating space around desire without becoming controlled by it. May this practice support your return to clarity, peace, and wholeness.

Transcript

Hi, Welcome in. I'm Kim Pasch. Today we'll explore Raga, The third of the five kleshas described in the Yoga Sutras. Raga is the tendency to cling to what feels good. Craving is a natural part of the human experience, But when we become trapped in it, Suffering can grow. Finding a comfortable position for you, Allowing your eyes to flutter closed or just simply taking a soft gaze, Begin to notice where your breath enters into the depths of your belly, Filling up all the way to your heart as your ribs balloon, Perhaps holding at the top. And breathe out through your nose or mouth, Emptying from the heart down to the base of your belly, Noticing the bottom of your exhale. And we'll do that twice more. Breathing in through the nose into the depths of your belly, Allowing your ribs to balloon, Opening up into the spaciousness of your heart, Perhaps holding. And exhale out from the heart down to the base of your belly. One more round, Deep abdominal breath in, Filling up. And a deep exhale out, Emptying from the heart down to the base of your belly. Begin to notice where craving might appear in your body. Noticing where craving appears in your body, You might sense restlessness tightness, Or even anticipation. Just observe the sensation, Allowing space instead of reacting immediately. Just breathe. Notice the craving rising and slowly changing. Cravings or sensations rise up and slowly change. You might liken urges to waves, Sensing urges as waves. They rise and fall. Allow the breath to create spaciousness around sensation. You might sense a softening, A little more space or room, A little less urgency. Notice that awareness itself is steady. Even as sensations come and go. We'll begin to integrate a healing mantra. You can quietly repeat this to yourself internally or out loud. Craving can rise and pass. I can breathe through the urge. I remain whole, Even without this. Again, Slowly. Craving can rise and pass. I can breathe through the urge. I remain whole, Even without this. Craving can rise and pass. I can breathe through the urge. I remain whole, Even without this. Craving can rise and pass. I can breathe through the urge. I remain whole, Even without this. One more round. Craving can rise and pass. I can breathe through the urge. I remain whole, Even without this. Allow the words to settle gently into the body. Not as something to force, But an invitation to trust your own steadiness. Where, If anywhere, Can you sense your own inner steadiness? If a strong urge arises again later today or at another place or time, You can return to this practice. You can return to a single breath, A moment of noticing, Remembering one gentle reminder that craving can rise and pass. And beneath every passing urge, Your wholeness remains. Thank you for practicing with me. May you move toward peace and steadiness. Sat Nam.