Welcome to Rooted Growth.
A place where you're invited to slow down.
Soften.
And reconnect.
My name is Lisa,
And I'm so glad you're here.
In this practice,
You'll find space for both stillness and inspiration.
Without pressure.
And without needing to be anywhere else.
So take a moment to settle yourself gently into this space.
No need to arrive perfectly.
And no need to feel peaceful before we even begin.
Just come as you are.
You know,
There's something I've been thinking about recently,
That there's a spiritual idea that can feel both comforting.
And confronting.
At the same time.
And that idea is everything is perfect.
I have a spiritual advisor and friend who reminds me of that.
And every time she says it.
I kind of shake myself back into reality.
But honestly,
Sometimes that idea feels really hard.
There's something even provocative.
About the phrase,
Everything is perfect.
Because honestly,
Look around.
Wars.
Illness.
Loss,
Fear.
.
.
Loneliness.
People barely holding themselves together.
While telling us.
They're fine.
It can almost sound like we're being dismissive.
Or honestly spiritually tone deaf.
To suggest in the middle of this.
And to see that people are really in some very real suffering.
And yet.
.
.
There's another way to understand it that doesn't deny pain.
Maybe perfect doesn't mean pleasant.
Maybe it doesn't mean approved of.
Maybe it doesn't mean we've stopped working towards justice or healing or change.
Maybe it simply means that this moment.
Before we argue with it.
Is already whole.
Life is unfolding as life does.
Joy and grief.
And uncertainty.
Love.
And loss.
How human of us to react.
This shouldn't be happening.
I should be handling this better.
I wish the world was different.
But I think that maybe this kind of resistance.
.
.
Can become its own kind of suffering.
But meditation gently invites us into another possibility.
Because what if just for this moment,
In stillness,
We stopped fighting reality.
We're not giving up.
Not becoming passive.
Not pretending that pain doesn't exist.
But we're softening enough in stillness.
To meet this moment honestly.
You know,
There's something really sacred that happens when we stop demanding that life look different.
Before we allow ourselves to be present for it.
Even difficult moments can be our teachers,
You know that.
Uncertainty.
Can deepen our faith.
Even heartbreak opens places.
That were once closed.
Not because suffering is beautiful.
But because our awareness in stillness.
Can hold all of it.
And maybe that's the deeper meaning of perfection.
That nothing is excluded.
Nothing is outside of compassion.
Nothing.
Is outside.
Possibility of presence.
Witness.
So today,
You don't have to force peace.
You don't have to transcend being human.
My invitation to you is to sit in stillness with life as it is.
Breathing.
.
.
Feeling.
Allowing.
And quietly remembering.
This too belongs.
Now let's prepare for our meditation.
Find your comfortable seat.
Maybe rest your hands gently in your lap.
And softly close your eyes.
And go to that place of inner quiet.
Where we can experience our connection.
To our higher self.
Begin to observe the inflow and the outflow of your breath.
And with each inflow and outflow of your breath,
Allow yourself to become more relaxed.
More comfortable.
More at peace.
Take your seat.
Of quiet dignity.
Consider our centering thought for this meditation.
A presence doesn't require perfection.
Presence doesn't require perfection.
Hold that softly in your heart.
And now let me introduce a mantra.
If that will be helpful for you during this meditation.
This too belongs.
This too belongs.
Inhale this too.
Exhale.
Belongs.
This too belongs.
Please continue with your meditation.
I'll mind the time.
Starting and ending with a soft bell.
This,
Too,
Belongs.
This,
Too,
Belongs.
It's time to gently release the mantra.
Sit restfully for a few minutes.
And when you feel ready,
Allow your eyes to open slowly.
And bring the light of this practice.
Back into your day.
And as you move through your day.
Carry our centering thought with you.
Presence.
Doesn't require perfection.
Presence.
Doesn't require perfection.
Thank you so much for your practice today.
The calm you've cultivated here.
Continue to support and steady you through whatever comes next.
