Returning To The Living World

This meditation is suitable for folks who experience dissociative tendencies, a "freeze" response, overwhelm, anxiety, rumination, depression, or who just need a reminder to return to the present moment.

This meditation was crafted by my own needs, brain, training, and many years of study with a loving, supportive community that spans the globe.

I offer my obeisances to Sri Ganesha, Sri Krishna, Sri Hanuman, Sri Kali Ma, Lord Shiva, Lord Vishnu, Lord Brahma, and my other teachers, both living and dead.

Musical accompaniment generously supplied and composed by Narek Mirzaei (Music Of Wisdom).

Transcript

Welcome to Returning to the Living World. The intention of this meditation is to offer a gentle return to the body. During moments of dissociation. As we move through this practice, I invite you to engage with nature. In whatever way is accessible to you. This might mean stepping outside and observing a garden, Tree, Or patch of sky. It could mean sitting near a house plant. Holding a leaf, Flower, Stone, Shell, Or other natural object. It might also mean looking closely at a photograph. Paytune. Or video of nature. Whatever form it takes, Choose something from the natural world that you can comfortably observe. And so, My friend, Find your peace or view of nature. And did 30 seconds. Will begin. Find a piece of nature to focus on. If you can touch it, Gently do. If you can't touch it, Simply observe it closely. You do not need to force yourself to feel anything. You do not need to solve anything. You are only here to notice. Now, Looking at this piece of nature, Notice its shape, Texture, And color. Begin to notice the places where it is rough or smooth. Notice the way it occupies the space around it. This part of nature exists without needing to think about itself. It doesn't create a story about what it is. It simply is. As you touch or observe it closely. Remember that you have more in common. With this part of nature than you do with your thoughts. Your thoughts come and go. They change from moment to moment. But like this part of nature. You are a living soul. Manifest in the physical world. You are not made of thoughts. You are made of cells. Water. Minerals. And energy. You belong to the same world that this part of nature belongs to. This part of nature and you are made from the same earth. Both of you have been shaped by sunlight. Water. Time. And gravity. This part of nature doesn't need to understand gravity. To experience it. And you do not need to understand your experience. To feel your body here, Right now. No. Bring your awareness. To the places. Where your body meets the world. Your feet. Or body are on the ground. Your hands are touching your chosen piece of nature or resting where they are while you simply observe with your eyes. Feel the air. Against your skin. Feel the weight of your body as it presses into the earth. Notice that these sensations are happening. Right now. They aren't ideas or stories. Their direct experiences. If there is another part of nature. Nearby. Turn your attention to it. Look closely. It has existed through time, Weather, And countless moments before this one. It doesn't argue with this reality. It participates in it. And remember again. You have more in common. With this part of nature. Than you do with your thoughts. Thoughts. Lady. They come and go. They appear and disappear. But you are part of the physical world. You have weight. You take up space? You breathe air. Your heart beats. Your body is an event occurring within nature, Just as surely as a river, A tree, A flower. Stone. Or a bird. For a moment. Allow this natural world around you. To be larger. And your thoughts. Feel the ground beneath you. And the air around you. Feel the object beneath your fingers if you're touching one. Or simply rest your attention. On the details of the image. Or natural object before you. Simply experience that you are here. This part of nature is here. The ground is here. The air is here. And take one slow, Deep breath in. Through your nose. And exhale through your mouth. Again, Take one slow, Deep breath in through your nose. And exhale slowly. Through your mouth. One more time. Take one slow, Deep breath in through your nose. And exhale slowly through your mouth. Now take one last look at the part of nature that accompanied you through this practice. Notice that it remains exactly the same. Where it is. Participating in the world in its own way. And you, My friend. You remain here as well. Participating in the world in your own unique way. You do not need to feel perfectly grounded or present. Perhaps all that has happened is that you have noticed one sensation. One breath. One object. One moment. For now. That is enough. Take one final deep breath in through your nose. And exhale slowly. Through your mouth. When you are ready. Allow your awareness to broaden. Beyond your physical body. And the nature that has guided you. Stepping back. Into the rest of the world. And your day. Thank you for meditating with me today. I look forward to connecting with you again soon.