In this practice,
You'll gently focus your awareness to help you feel calm,
Present,
And open to your pet's presence.
Begin by finding a comfortable place to sit or lie down.
Allow your body to relax.
Let your shoulders soften.
Let your breath become natural.
Now,
Gently bring your focus to a single spot in front of you.
It could be a point on the wall,
An object,
Or any place that your eyes can rest comfortably.
Keep your eyes open and softly focus on that spot.
No strain,
Just resting your gaze.
As you continue to focus on that spot,
Bring your awareness to what you hear.
Notice the sounds around you.
Near,
Far.
Without labeling,
Just become aware.
Now,
While still focusing on that same spot and continuing to notice what you hear,
Begin to bring your awareness of what you can smell.
Any scent in the air.
Subtle,
Faint,
Or neutral.
No effort,
Just noticing.
Now,
Still keeping your eyes on that spot and remaining aware of what you hear and what you smell,
Bring your attention to what you can taste.
Perhaps there is nothing obvious,
Or maybe something very subtle.
Just notice,
Without trying to create anything.
Now,
Staying focused on that spot,
Aware of what you hear,
What you smell,
And what you taste,
Bring your awareness to what you can feel on your body.
The air on your skin,
Your clothing,
The surface beneath you.
And now,
Gently expand that awareness.
Notice what you feel within your body.
Any sensations.
Warmth,
Coolness,
Tingling.
Subtle movement,
Perhaps.
Just observe.
Continue to hold all of this awareness together.
Your focus on the spot in front of you.
What you hear,
What you smell,
What you taste.
What you feel on and within your body.
Now,
Simply stay open and aware.
If you begin to notice a gentle tingling,
A shift in temperature,
A coolness or warmth around you,
Or a subtle sensation on your body,
Just allow it.
These sensations can sometimes be experienced when a loved one or a pet is nearby.
If you feel something like this,
You can gently acknowledge it in whatever way feels natural to you.
Stay here for a few minutes,
Focused,
Open,
And aware.
As you remain in this open awareness,
You might gently notice,
Are you sensing anything more?
A feeling,
An impression,
A subtle awareness?
There's nothing that you need to force.
Nothing you need to figure out.
But if it feels natural to you,
You can simply ask,
Quietly within yourself,
If there's anything that your pet wants you to feel or understand in this moment.
And then,
Just remain open,
Allowing,
Without expectation.
And whenever you're ready,
Take a slightly deeper breath.
Allow your wellness to settle back into your surroundings.
Still focused,
Still present.
You can return to this exercise anytime,
Whenever you want to feel calm,
Connected,
And open to the presence of your pet.
Thank you for taking this time for yourself.
I'm Sue London,
Wishing you much love and many blessings.