Meditation For Stress — Rest Beneath The Weight Of Life

Life asks us to wear many roles — responsibilities, identities, expectations. In this meditation, you’ll explore the possibility that beneath all of these layers there is something always there, quieter, an ever-present — You. This meditation is about coming to terms with and accepting the weight of life, the weight of our roles or obligations with compassion. Oliver guides you through a simple practice to rest in that deeper place of awareness. For all experience levels

Transcript

Find your usual meditation posture, Either sitting in a chair or lying down. You're relaxed, But you're focused and alert. Hands can be gently placed on top of the legs or next to the legs. And when you're ready, You can gently close your eyes. What's your relationship like right now to the present moment? You can always ask yourself this question. Are you totally embraced with the present moment? Completely in union with the now? Or can you feel yourself slightly uncomfortable in it? Which is normal, By the way. Usually, There is some degree of discomfort. Not wanting to be here-ness. Not enough-ness. Usually 1% to 10% of our being is not quite content with the present moment. If you can notice that, It's totally normal. Whatever you are feeling is fine. Perfectly normal. Keep the breath slow and steady through the nostrils. Relax the fingers. Relax the hands. See if you can find the tiniest muscle or ligament that is still holding on. There is always another muscle somewhere gripping that you can let go of. Let's tune into our roles. Social obligations. We all have obligations. Family commitments. Obligations. And I want you to bring those up now. Who are you on a material level? The office worker. The receptionist. The banker. The mother. The father. The grandparent. Feel the weight of your role. Can you feel it? It's like a suit which you have to wear. Or an item of clothing that you have to put on each and every day. And it might feel a little uncomfortable. And that's perfectly normal. Breathe into the weight of your role. Weave your breath like you're stitching or sewing through density. Be brave. Be valiant. Breathe into your social role in the world. And notice that you are underneath that role. As you continue to breathe softly, Remind yourself. You are that which wears the role sometimes. You are that which wears the role like a garment of clothing sometimes. But not all the time. You are the presence, The awareness, Underneath the role, The mask, The pressure, The obligations. You are raw awareness wearing roles. This is the friction of life. This is the paradox of life as a human. Purity mixed with weight. And that's okay. Slowly open the eyes. Noticing the different colors entering your field of vision. And move the body slowly. Have a great day.