Affectionate Body Scan (Blooming Of A Lotus)

This meditation appears in the book “The Blooming of a Lotus” by Thich Nhat Hanh under the title “Touching, Connecting”. It helps us practice conscious breathing to become more attuned to our body. The in-breath is to touch a certain part of the body: eyes, ears, heart, lungs, and so on. The out-breath smiles to that part of the body. The in-breath and out-breath expresses care and affection for the body.

Transcript

Welcome to the Affectionate Body Scan Meditation.

This meditation appears in the book The Blooming of a Lotus by Thich Nhat Hanh.

This meditation appears under the title Touching,

Connecting.

Take a moment to let our body settle in a comfortable position.

Relax the whole body.

Keep the head,

Neck and back erect but not rigid.

Keep the hands comfortably placed on the lap or on the knees if sitting.

Keep the hands on the sides if lying down.

Let us intentionally cultivate an attitude of patience,

Gentleness and kindness towards ourselves.

We will now practice conscious breathing to become more attuned to our body.

The in-breath is to touch a certain part of the body,

Eyes,

Ears,

Heart,

Lungs and so on.

The out-breath smiles to that part of the body.

The in-breath and out-breath expresses care and affection for the body.

Aware of the hair on my head,

I breathe in.

Smiling to the hair on my head,

I breathe out.

Aware of my eyes,

I breathe in.

Smiling to my eyes,

I breathe out.

Aware of my ears,

I breathe in.

Smiling to my ears,

I breathe out.

Aware of my teeth,

I breathe in.

Smiling to my teeth,

I breathe out.

Aware of my smile,

I breathe in.

Smiling to my smile,

I breathe out.

Aware of my shoulders,

I breathe in.

Smiling to my shoulders,

I breathe out.

Aware of my arms,

I breathe in.

Smiling to my arms,

I breathe out.

Aware of my lungs,

I breathe in.

Smiling to my lungs,

I breathe out.

Aware of my heart,

I breathe in.

Smiling to my heart,

I breathe out.

Aware of my liver,

I breathe in.

Smiling to my liver,

I breathe out.

Aware of my bowels,

I breathe in.

Smiling to my bowels,

I breathe out.

Aware of my kidneys,

I breathe in.

Smiling to my kidneys,

I breathe out.

Aware of my feet,

I breathe in.

Smiling to my feet,

I breathe out.

Aware of my toes,

I breathe in.

Smiling to my toes,

I breathe out.

We now come to an end of this meditation.

Please stay centered for a few moments to dedicate the merits of this practice.

May I be happy.

May I be peaceful.

May I live with ease.

May all beings be happy.

May all beings be peaceful.

May all beings live with ease.