Sanctuary

"Build a Sanctuary, that I may within them." If your body is a Temple, how do you fill it with Loving-kindness? This body scan invites you to draw holy energy into your flesh, bones, and sinew, leaving you warm, refreshed, and re-vitalized.

Transcript

This meditation is based in Hebrew Bible, Book of Exodus, Chapter 25, Verse 8, The comment of God asking the Israelite people to build God a sanctuary that God may dwell amid them. Take a moment to settle in. Seated on a meditation bench, In a comfortable chair, Lying down on the floor in your bed. Settle in. Taking deep and slow breaths. All the way out to the extremities of your body. All the way in to the fullness of your lungs, The depth of your diaphragm. Keep breathing slowly and steadily. In deeply, Out slowly. You may want to try a four count. One, Two, Three, Four. In and out. Two, Three, Four. Following a gentle pattern like that. So breathe for yourself for a little while. And if you find yourself distracted by stray thoughts, Just come back to the breathing. Whether counting or just noticing the depth and speed of your breathing. In fully, Out slowly. You may want to try a four count. Continuing to breathe. In a moment, We're going to take the framework of our body and use it as a space in which to gather holiness. You can, In your own terms, Think of that holiness as your higher power. Or use the word God. The life of the universe. Even just the force. However you understand the awesomeness that is greater than and transcends you. So we're going to start continuing to slowly breathe. Thinking all the way down to your toes. Think about their shape. Their structure. Where they are thin. Or strong. Or calloused. Or delicate. Imagine the structure of your ten toes filling up with holiness. Maybe picture it like the light of the sun. Or the glow of an emerald. Or something beyond seeing. Draw that holiness in through the boxes of your toes. Now come all the way into your feet. From ankle to toe. Those straining and powerful pieces of body that keep us upright and mobile. Recognize them being filled by the warmth of holiness. Making space for something almighty to fill the sanctuary of your body. Feel that tingling. And expand the sanctuary into your legs. Your calves. Your shins. The skin and bone and muscle and hair. The patella of your knee. The back of your knee. Your quadriceps. And hamstrings. Fill that long, Strong space with the gentle glow of your higher power. That you are inviting to reside in you. Make sacred space. Make sanctuary for the great goodness of the universe into your hips. Feel it expanding. Carving out room from left to right. And right to left hip. Gathering as the sanctuary ascends and is built throughout your body. Give room in your belly and your chest. For this glorious holiness. Feel the warm light of the transcendent fill your chest. Your belly, Your organs. Breathing deeply. Filling your ribs with the graceful light. With each breath and each expansion. You're building a home. A home for a higher power. And a home that paradoxically was always and is always there. Keep breathing gently. Let this sanctuary expand out and down through relaxed shoulders and even heavy arms. Recognize so much of your body is a sacred vessel. A container for things great and mysterious. Feel that holy light out to your fingertips and fingernails. And now, With one last piece, Complete the sanctuary in your head, Your brain, Your mind. Your smile, Your cheekbones, Your chin. Your hair and scalp. Your ears, Nose, Lips and eyes are now part of a glorious edifice. You are a sanctuary stretching outward from your heart, Soul, Spine and conscious. All the way to your skin and even beyond. Continue breathing at your own pace and feel the grace and delight and warmth and strength of your sanctuary body. And now, With one last piece, Complete the sanctuary in your head, Your mind, Your eyes, Your chin. Blessings.