Sometimes we just feel like we want to let go of the past,
All the things that hold us back,
And look forward to a bright future.
But I think it's really healthy to not deny our past,
But rather surrender it,
And let it integrate into our life with love,
To give us a real sense of acceptance and strength going forward.
So in this practice we'll do an inner offering,
Which is a very heartfelt meditation,
Where we allow all that we are,
Our whole life,
To be surrendered and seen.
We offer it up just as it is,
Just as we are.
We then allow it to transform and dissolve away,
And we allow whatever it is that we would like to cultivate to come alive.
I think this can encourage a healthier relationship with our life's intentions,
Without getting caught in too much disassociation or blocking.
It can help to transform and clear what we hold within ourselves,
And make space for clear intention and a positive future.
So when you're ready,
Take a little time to get yourself comfortable.
You could be seated cross-legged on the ground,
Or sitting on a chair.
Whatever it is for you to feel awake,
Supported,
And relaxed.
And then gently close your eyes.
Allow yourself a few moments to really arrive into the meditation.
Being aware of the room that you're in right now.
Really arriving in the seat that you're on,
Or the ground.
Being aware of being present in your body in this present moment.
And then gently bring your awareness into the quality of your breath within your body.
Noticing the feelings and sensations of the air coming in and out of your nostrils and your throat.
Noticing the feelings and sensations of your ribs,
Lungs,
And abdomen rising and falling as you breathe.
Really following the length of each in-breath and each out-breath.
And noticing the intricacies and subtleties of the feelings and sensations of it in your body,
As you breathe.
Gradually allowing your mind to settle and your body relax.
Keep checking around your body,
Noticing if you're really allowing it to deeply relax.
Our tendency is to contract our bodies and lift up out of the ground.
You may feel this especially in your neck and shoulders area.
If you notice any tension anywhere,
With the quality of the out-breath,
Let your body soften and relax again.
And kind of melt down towards the ground.
So keep following the breath and noticing where you feel tension in the body.
Allowing it to deeply relax towards the ground.
And then notice the ground below you.
It might be the earth or a chair or a bed.
And notice the pressure and the feelings and sensations of that ground,
Where it meets your body.
Feel the steadiness and the support of that ground.
And how that ground just lets you be you.
And see if you're really allowing yourself to trust that ground and let your whole body deeply relax into it.
And as you rest there,
There appears a small radiant sphere of light in your heart.
And you can choose its colour,
Whatever colour feels safe and comforting for you.
This little sphere of light is warm like the sun.
And it radiates out this warm light,
Filling your body and filling the room around you.
And as you rest there,
There appears a small radiant sphere of light in your heart.
And it radiates out this warm light,
Filling the room around you.
And as you rest there,
There appears a small radiant sphere of light,
Filling the room around you.
And recognising that it's okay to have imperfections or make mistakes.
And you can surrender this to whomever you like.
To the universe,
To God,
To a Buddha.
It doesn't really matter.
It's more about allowing all that you are to be seen and loved.
Surrendering it.
So surrendering your body,
Your skin,
Your bones,
Your muscles,
Your blood,
Your feces and urine,
Your hair,
Your whole body.
Offering up your life,
Its dreams,
Its failures,
Its accomplishments.
Offering up your strengths and your weaknesses.
Surrendering your thoughts,
Fears,
Feelings and emotions.
Just as they are.
Your memories,
Your relationships,
Your home,
Your work,
Your family and friends.
Your travels,
Your spiritual practice.
A lot of the time we can hide aspects of our nature from ourselves.
Almost like we only want to see the good bits.
So see if you can find the courage to offer up all that is you.
Allow it all to be seen as it is.
And know that you are still loved.
And instead of just visualizing it,
See if you can feel this in your body.
And that warm supporting light in your body and in the room allows all those aspects of yourself surrendered to be transformed.
To evaporate and dissolve away.
Holding them with a sense of love.
Clearing and cleansing any self judgments and criticisms or disbeliefs.
And this leaves you feeling lighter,
Clearer and more healed.
It's almost like you're clearing all the fog in your system.
Supported by your breath.
Allowing your body to deeply relax into the ground.
Allowing yourself to be truly present in this moment.
Just as you are.
Loved and safe.
And now bring up a sense of what's really meaningful for you.
Something that you want to cultivate or encourage in your life.
It could be an achievement or an aspect of yourself.
Really whatever is important to you.
And from all directions this quality comes in.
Into your body and into your life.
Like snowflakes melting into the ground.
And know that you can achieve it.
Know that you deserve to achieve it.
And feel in your heart like you've already accomplished it.
With a positive intention and a knowing in your heart.
And allow yourself to experience a greater sense of freedom,
Clarity and inner peace.
And then go out into your day and into your life with a powerful sense of love and a sense of courage in your heart.
