Welcome back to day two of our Grace and Gratitude seven-day meditation journey.
You know,
Throughout my life,
My meditation has taken many,
Many forms.
I first started out practicing a silent meditation on the heart.
I've practiced with mantras.
I've practiced with mudras.
But for me,
Currently,
A little dharma talk and then a silent meditation,
With maybe a little music in the background,
Has been a very effective tool.
And it's always brought me a spaciousness and stability in my body.
It's made me really reflect on the miracle of our bodies.
Sometimes my body frustrates me and disappoints me.
But our bodies have carried us through every chapter of our life,
The bright ones,
The difficult ones,
The ones that reshaped you quietly from the inside out.
So gratitude for our body isn't about perfection and what it looks like on the outside.
It's about acknowledging a faithful companion that's never stopped choosing you.
I'm offering you an invitation to ask yourself,
How can I come to know and love this body in a new and different way?
How can I see myself with more grace?
My teacher Elena tells me that introspection takes dedication.
Today,
Offer your body a moment of recognition.
I see you.
I thank you.
I'm listening.
I see you.
I thank you.
I'm listening.
As we prepare to meditate together,
Let's take a moment to consider today's centering thought.
My body is a loyal guide.
I will listen with tenderness and trust.
This honors the inner wisdom of your body and the wisdom that it offers every day.
So gently close your eyes and rest your hands on your knees,
Palms up in a gesture of openness and receiving or palms down if grounding feels right for you today.
Let your breath deepen and expand throughout your chest as though you're breathing directly into your heart.
Now gently introduce the mantra,
I listen.
I listen.
I listen.
I listen.
I listen.
I listen.
Allow this awareness to soften into your body.
Repeat the mantra silently to yourself.
I listen.
I listen.
I listen.
I listen.
Whenever you find yourself distracted by thoughts,
Noises,
Feelings,
Or anything in your environment,
Just gently invite your focus back to the mantra,
To your breath,
To the present moment.
Please continue with your meditation.
I'll mind the time starting and ending with a soft bell.
It's time to release the mantra.
Sit restfully for a few moments and when you feel ready,
Open your eyes.
As you continue with your day,
Contemplate our centering thought.
My body is a loyal guide.
I listen with tenderness and trust.
May you move through your day rooted in grace,
Growing towards what's calling you next.
Thank you so much for your practice.
