Welcome to this guided mindfulness practice in which we shall focus on the warmth of the sun to heal and transform the very core of our being.
Many moons ago,
It seems to me now,
I was so grief-stricken that I did not think I could live one more day.
I'm sure many feel this depth of grief.
Each moment it seemed I discovered more cracks.
Each breath I took,
Icely entered a new gaping hole.
Each step I took was weighted down by a shattered heart.
I had fallen off the wall.
I felt I could never be put back together again.
I lived only because I had to for the sake of those who loved me.
But even at times I wasn't so sure that was enough.
This is known as complicated grief,
Which is like being in an ongoing heightened state of mourning that keeps one from healing.
During this time it was said to me,
Wisely as it turns out,
That the moment I stopped believing in anything and everything was the moment I would begin to heal,
To become the person I was destined to be.
I was told that one day if I observed this lesson of beginning anew,
I would be walking down the street and once again would feel the sun on my back.
And I remember the very instant it happened.
I knew me was being born.
To this day I thank the sun each time it shines.
And I ask myself,
If I was pure sunshine,
Where would I go to create warmth in this world?
Whether you're sitting or lying down,
Taking some long deep quenching breaths,
Breathe out gently through the mouth.
Allow the breaths to discard any unwanted sensations you may be feeling in your body or mind right now.
Perhaps you're feeling stressed,
Tired,
Overwhelmed,
Lonely or sad.
Let the breath begin to dissolve the angst for a little while.
Mindfully focus upon your breath.
Now draw your attention to the base of your ribs.
Visualize a giant sun situated here in the space between your ribs and your navel.
Feel its warmth.
Sense its light.
This area is known as the solar plexus and behind the navel is the Manipura chakra,
A chakra being an energy center.
In Sanskrit money is jewel.
Pura is place.
It is said in the world of yoga that the Manipura chakra contains many precious jewels such as the qualities of clarity,
Self-confidence,
Joy,
Self-assurance,
Knowledge,
Wisdom and the ability to make correct decisions.
In other words,
It signals to you to follow your gut.
What quality comes up for you as you rest at this place right now?
What can you feel?
This is the center that connects us with all humanity.
It warns us against dissension and aggression.
It keeps us on a safe path when we are faced with danger.
It is the heart of trust when listened to intently.
It is the center of wisdom empowering us to make the best choices.
Self-confidence is its resident.
It is that place where we ingest,
Digest and nourishment is accorded.
What is it imparting to you right now?
The color of the Manipura chakra is yellow.
Its element is fire.
Therefore,
It is also known as the fire or sun center.
See in your mind's eye the color yellow,
Its digestive fire,
Its vitality.
Just observe.
This center of our being constantly supplies vibrancy,
Energy and light when free from blockages and indecision.
Can you sense this powerful center of light and liveliness for a little while?
Can you sense this powerful center of light and liveliness for a little while?
This is also where we store grief and sadness,
And this chakra has the ability to destroy sorrow.
What emotion do you need to eliminate right now?
What emotion do you need to eliminate right now?
Imagine breathing in the warmth and the light of the sun as it shines down upon you.
Imagine this,
Drawing in the warmth for a little while with soft gentle breaths.
Imagine breathing in the warmth for a little while with soft gentle breaths.
With the added warmth that enters your being,
Just allow yourself to relax and permit yourself the feeling of lightness,
As though you were strangely unburdened,
Floating like a feather or a leaf.
With each in-breath,
Imagine that you are wafting upwards,
Floating,
Floating.
With each out-breath,
You are simply drifting.
With each out-breath,
You are simply drifting.
With each out-breath,
You are simply drifting.
Imagine wafting upwards with every round of the gentle rhythmic breath,
Until you enter into the centre of the sun.
You are immersed in the sunshine.
You become the sunshine.
You are immersed in the sunshine.
And now come back to the room.
Leave the ball of fire,
The centre of the sun,
To recede back into the universe.
Come back to your normal breathing.
Back to the present in warmth,
Harmony and comfort.
Rest.
Breathe with ease.
Enjoy these nurturing moments.
Draw your hands to the solar plexus that point just below your rib cage and just above your navel.
Rest them there.
Feel the warmth of the hands and the stillness in your body.
And now,
What can you see,
Sense,
Hear,
Feel in this homage to the healing aspects of the sun's rays?
Souvenir.
I wrote what follows many years ago,
Not long after I felt the sun on my back again.
The sun is a healing and nurturing force.
Perhaps you may allow your imagination and your focus to be guided by these thoughts on the power and the gift of sunshine.
If I was pure sunshine,
Where would I go?
I would cast a shimmering veil across freshly driven snow.
I would enter each icicle with a flickering light.
The landscape would glisten so pure and so white.
I would enter each snowflake as it fell to the earth and melt all ice to prepare for rebirth.
If I was pure sunshine,
Where would I go?
I would penetrate the earth to make all flowers grow and paint all deserts with a soft peach glow.
I would whisper to the wind to warm the sky.
I would dry the tears of all those who cry.
If I were pure sunshine,
Where would I be?
It would sparkle across every calm sea.
I would ride each wave as it rolled into shore and toss up sea spray with mirth and with joy.
And as even tired as I lay to rest,
I would color the horizon with hues of gold and send my love to those weary and old.
And as I rose to begin a new dawn,
I would glitter and glisten and shimmer and light the hearts of all beings to make all lives bright.
If I was pure sunshine,
If I was pure sunshine.
This is Anne-Marie.
May the sun's brightness shower light upon you in each and every day.
