As we come together in this practice,
Let's set aside any need to solve or fix or become anything.
For this period of time,
Just allowing yourself to simply be.
And we're being in a way that allows us to fully inhabit this present moment.
So just taking a moment to settle into a position that's comfortable and supportive.
It can be helpful if the spine remains long and tall,
And the shoulders are back and down.
And if the jaw is relaxed,
Seeing if you can soften in the face and the jaw.
And you might even wish to gently close your eyes.
Or you can also keep the eyes open just in a downward gaze.
Just maybe only open a quarter of the way.
Not staring at anything,
But just allowing the eyes to be open and relaxed.
And just begin by noticing your breath.
Noticing its natural rhythm.
So nothing to change or force.
And now that the attention has rested on that sensation of the breath and the body.
Let's take three intentional breaths together.
So breathing deeply in through the nose and fully out through the mouth.
Let's have that third breath together now inhaling and exhaling and just feeling the body as it releases any tension and allowing your breath to simply return back to its natural rhythm.
And letting your attention rest just on this sensation of the breath in the body.
You might notice the temperature you might notice the texture or whether the breath moving into the chest and belly is deep or shallow.
However,
It is just noticing this is breathing.
Letting this breath just guide your body into stillness.
But if the breath isn't a comfortable anchor for your attention,
It's no problem.
You can also just rest your awareness on the felt sensation of the body sitting noticing the points of contact where your body meets the chair or the surface that you're seated upon.
And you might just notice a subtle vibration in the body.
So letting this connection of breath and body be a true refuge,
A place where you can rest in the moment.
In this way,
Anytime your mind wanders or you become distracted with a gentle and compassionate ease just as soon as you notice bringing the awareness back to these felt sensations of breath or body.
And from this place of stillness,
I invite you to reflect just a gentle reflection on this year that has just passed.
So without any judgment,
Just letting any emotions or memories or sensations,
Just letting them arise naturally.
Noticing what feels vivid or present as you bring to mind this past year.
So as you witness these feelings or emotions,
Just notice what are the ways of being that have shaped this past year.
And as you witness these,
Ask yourself,
What am I ready to let go of?
Perhaps these are patterns,
Burdens,
Attachments,
Or simply just ways of being that no longer serve you in this time.
And with each out breath,
Just imagining releasing these,
Letting them dissolve like clouds in a vast sky.
Remembering that clouds self liberate.
So just seeing what it is that you're ready to let go of is enough.
And then letting them be as they are.
Trusting their inherent impermanent nature.
Really allowing yourself to have space here.
Breathing space into the body.
Giving space for the letting go.
And if it feels supportive,
You might silently repeat this phrase.
I release in love that which no longer serves me.
And let the breath carry these words through the body.
I release in love that which no longer serves me.
Still anchored to this present moment.
Bring your attention again to right here.
This breath in and this breath out.
Sensing the freshness and the potential of this present moment.
Every moment is an opportunity to begin again.
Beginning again with this next breath.
The freshness of this moment provides an opportunity to plant seeds of intention for the year ahead.
So reflecting now,
What qualities?
What ways of being?
What practices would you like to nurture in this coming year?
Just allowing whatever comes to come.
Just allowing a light exploration.
What feels inspiring,
Meaningful,
Or true for you?
Perhaps it's a specific quality.
Maybe the quality of patience.
Courage.
Compassion.
Joy.
Ease.
Just exploring now,
What feels supportive for you at this time.
As each intention comes to mind,
Imagine breathing it into your body with the in-breath.
Allowing its qualities to fill you with vitality.
And here again,
You might try this simple phrase silently to yourself to support this reflection.
Perhaps I now nurture what truly supports me.
Hold this intention.
Intention for this quality to support you throughout this year.
Breathe it in,
Know it to your core.
Letting your awareness now anchor in the breath or the body.
Really grounding yourself into the feeling of being right here right now.
Sensing the surface of your seat,
The ground beneath you,
Holding you,
Supporting you.
Feeling the space above.
Wide,
Open,
Full of possibility.
Spacious.
And feeling the point,
Perhaps in the belly or in the heart center,
Where this grounding and spaciousness meet.
Just feeling that center of gravity in your own body.
Letting your breath rest right there.
And holding this intention,
These qualities that will be nurtured.
And remembering that each time throughout the day,
That we can remember to return to our body,
To our felt experience.
We are nurturing presence.
So letting this presence be nurtured right now through your attention.
As we transition out of this meditation,
Taking just a moment to honor your practice.
Honoring the time that you've taken to be here to be present with yourself.
And remembering that each moment is a chance to begin again.
It's not just at the turning of a new year.
But the freshness,
The aliveness,
The possibility exists in every moment.
This is it.
Don't miss it.
May this new year bring you peace,
Health,
Safety,
And joy.
