So today we're going to try a short practice around setting intention.
And before we do that,
I'm going to ask you to follow the sound of my voice,
Follow my guidance so that we can find ourselves landing right here in this present moment and give a little bit of space to the mind before we actually form an intention for this time that we have together and for the rest of your session,
For your day or even the week ahead.
So first,
Please take a comfortable seat.
Ideally you want to be sitting down either cross-legged or on a chair with both feet on the ground.
With your spine erect,
But not too stiff.
We're trying to feel energized.
The goal is to find a balance in presence and in energy.
So let's first take three very deep intentional breaths in and out.
Standing on the count of four and exhaling two,
Three,
Four,
Inhaling two,
Three,
Four,
And exhaling two,
Three,
Four.
Inhaling two,
Three,
Four,
And exhaling two,
Three,
Four.
And keeping your eyes closed or gazing lightly at a spot in front of you,
Minimizing distractions.
First,
Let's get a sense of what state you are in in this moment.
You can give yourself a little sweep through from head to toe,
Curiously exploring how you are feeling in this body and in this present moment.
What can you feel?
Tightness,
Tingling,
Warmth,
Air touching your skin,
Or where your sit bones connect with your seat.
And now let's explore the notion of intention in our lives.
The Buddha is said to have expressed that we live our lives on the tip of intention.
By becoming aware and cultivating more intimacy with our intention,
We get to drive our interactions and our lives differently.
And as these words sink in,
Let yourself find an intention for yourself today.
There's a hidden power in knowing what your intent is.
It's a powerful driver behind your actions.
So what is an intention that you want to set for yourself for today,
For this week,
For this month?
It could be the intention of being present.
It could be the intention of feeling at home in yourself,
The intention to feel joy and feel love.
And as the words form themselves,
Repeat this intention a few times in your mind.
And tell yourself that it's easy and tell your mind that you will remember this intention.
Let it be easy.
Let it color your thoughts,
Your actions,
Your endeavors.
And in a few moments,
When you open your eyes,
I invite you to find a piece of paper and a pen and to write down this intention and maybe even put it on a Post-it,
Stick it on your computer screen,
Again,
Whether it's for today or for a longer period of time.
Coming back to our true intention is one of the safest routes to lead a more purposeful life.
Check in with yourself again and inquire around your state.
How have these few minutes potentially impacted you positively,
Hopefully,
Or in other ways?
How do you feel in the body when you are connected to this intention?
What could shift for you?
Is there more possibility?
And let's finish with a few words of loving kindness to ourselves.
So you can repeat these words either out loud or silently.
May I be well.
May I be happy.
May I feel peaceful.
And may I feel loved.
And when you are ready,
You can open your eyes.
Namaste.
