Welcome.
If it feels comfortable.
Allow your eyes to gently close or simply lower your gaze,
Letting your eyes rest softly on a spot on the floor.
Today we are reflecting on step six.
We're entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
Before we ask anything to be released,
We first create safety within the body.
Meditation is not about forcing change.
It's about becoming available for change.
Willingness often begins with creating a sense of safety within ourselves.
When the body feels threatened.
It tends to hold tightly.
It clings to control.
It grips familiar ways of being.
It holds on to old patterns,
Even when they no longer serve us.
When the body feels safe.
It becomes easier to soften.
Easier to trust.
Easier to let go.
So today there is nothing to force,
Nothing to fix,
And nothing to achieve.
We are simply creating the conditions for openness.
Allow yourself to settle into a comfortable position.
Feel the support beneath you.
Notice where your body makes contact with the chair.
The floor,
Or whatever is supporting you right now.
Allow your weight to be held.
You do not have to carry everything right now.
Allow your shoulders to soften.
Relax your jaw.
Soften the muscles around your eyes.
Unclench your hands if they are gripping.
The defects we are exploring today are not signs that something is wrong with us.
Many began as ways of protecting ourselves,
Ways of coping.
Ways of surviving.
Today,
We simply become willing to loosen our grip on what is no longer needed.
We don't have to let go of everything all at once.
We don't have to become entirely different people today.
We don't have to remove every fear.
Resentment.
Old habit.
Or every way we try to protect ourselves.
Step six simply asks us to become willing.
And willingness can be very small.
Perhaps there is just one thing you are willing to release today.
One burden.
One old story.
One judgment.
One fear.
Or one way of trying to control life,
Just for today.
We are not asking for perfection.
We are creating space for possibility.
We are opening the door and allowing our higher power to do what we cannot do alone,
Just for today.
Now we will use a simple breathing practice called box breathing.
Imagine tracing the four sides of a square.
We breathe in for the first side.
We pause for the second side.
We breathe out for the third side.
And then we pause again for the last final side.
Each side of the square is equal.
There is no rush,
No strain.
So let's begin.
Inhale slowly through your nose for a count of four.
Too.
Three.
4.
Now hold gently for 4.
2.
3.
4.
Now exhale slowly through your mouth for 4.
2.
3.
Three.
Four,
And now pause for 4234.
Let's do that again.
Inhale.
Too.
3 for,
And hold.
Three.
Forward.
Exhale 2,
3,
4 and pause 2,
3,
4.
And one last final round.
Let's breathe in.
Hold.
Breathe out.
And pause.
Now allow your breathing to return to its natural rhythm.
Notice if there is even the slightest bit more space inside,
A little more softness,
Or a little more ease.
With each inhale,
Imagine creating space.
With each exhale.
Imagine releasing tension.
Not forcing anything away,
Just simply allowing.
Silently repeat.
I am safe enough to soften.
I am safe enough to be honest.
I am safe enough to let go.
And from this place of steadiness and willingness.
We begin our meditation.
Imagine yourself standing in a wide open field.
The grass beneath your feet is soft and warm.
The earth feels steady and supportive.
A gentle breeze moves across your skin.
The air smells fresh and clean.
And above you stretches a vast blue sky that seems to go on forever.
As you look around,
You notice a beautiful kite resting in front of you.
Its colors are vibrant.
Its fabric catches the sunlight.
It feels light,
Alive,
And full of possibility.
This kite represents your authentic self.
The person you were created to be.
The self beneath fear.
The self beneath addiction.
The self beneath ego.
The self beneath old defenses and survival patterns.
The self that is honest,
Loving,
Courageous,
Connected,
And free.
As you move closer,
You notice ribbons tied all along the kite string.
Each ribbon represents something that may no longer serve you.
A character defect?
An old coping strategy?
A protective pattern.
A way of thinking,
Reacting,
Or controlling that may be standing between you and your higher power.
Notice the first ribbon.
Perhaps it is dishonesty.
The places where you hide.
The truths you avoid.
The masks you wear.
Notice its color.
Its texture,
And its weight.
Notice another ribbon.
Self-seeking.
The need to control outcomes,
To manage situations.
To try and force life to unfold according to your plans.
See that ribbon fluttering in the wind.
Notice another ribbon.
Victimhood.
The stories that tell you life is happening to you.
The belief that you are stuck.
The belief that you have no choice.
Observe it with compassion.
Notice another ribbon.
Selfishness.
The habit of becoming consumed by your own fears,
Needs,
Or desires.
Notice how much energy it requires to carry.
Now,
Another ribbon.
Judgment.
Judging yourself.
Judging others.
Comparing.
Criticizing.
Measuring.
Notice the heaviness it creates.
Allow any additional ribbons to appear.
Beer.
Control.
People-pleasing.
Perfectionism.
Defensiveness.
Pride.
Resentment.
Avoidance.
Anything your heart is ready to acknowledge.
Notice something important.
These ribbons are attached to the string.
They're not attached to the kite.
The kite remains whole.
Beautiful.
And untouched.
Your true nature has never been damaged.
Only covered.
Only burdened.
Place your hands around the string.
Feel its texture.
Feel the weight of everything you've been carrying.
Beside you stands your higher power.
Perhaps as light.
Perhaps as presence.
Perhaps as love.
Perhaps as something beyond words.
You don't need to know how these things will be removed.
You do not need to know when.
You simply need to become willing.
Silently repeat.
I am becoming ready.
I am becoming willing.
Just for today.
Hire power.
Remove whatever stands between me and your will.
Just for today.
The breeze begins to strengthen gently,
Naturally,
And without force.
One ribbon begins to loosen.
Dishonesty unties itself and drifts away.
Another ribbon loosens.
Self-seeking releases into the wind.
Victimhood begins to unravel.
Floating away into the open sky.
Selfishness releases.
Judgment dissolves.
One by one,
Each ribbon is carried away.
Not because you forced it.
Not because you conquered it.
But because you became willing.
The string grows lighter.
The kite begins to rise.
Effortlessly.
Feel the freedom.
The spaciousness.
The relief.
When you are ready,
Gently open your hand and release the string Watch the kite rise into the sky.
Higher.
Higher.
And higher.
Notice how naturally it flies when nothing is weighing it down.
And recognize.
You are not losing yourself.
You are becoming more yourself.
You are not giving something up.
You are making room.
Room for honesty.
Room for humility.
Room for acceptance.
Room for gratitude.
Room for service.
Room for peace.
And room for God.
Rest here,
Simply breathing,
Simply receiving.
Begin bringing awareness back to your breath.
Notice the gentle rise and fall.
Notice the room around you.
Notice the support beneath you.
Now let's take a deep breath in together.
Filling the lungs completely.
Holding for just a moment.
And releasing.
With an audible sigh.
Let's do that one more time.
Take a deep breath in,
Holding at the top.
And release with an audible sigh.
When you're ready.
Gently wiggle.
The fingers and toes.
As you move through the rest of your day.
Perhaps carry this simple prayer.
Just for today.
Please help me remove the defects of character that would keep me from doing your will.
Remember.
Step six is not perfection.
It is willingness.
Not removing every defect forever.
Simply becoming ready just for today.
May your higher power express and create in you.
As you.
And within you.
With gratitude and love.
Namaste.
