Hello,
I'm Itzel,
And I'm glad you're here.
You may be here because you're feeling tired or overwhelmed or otherwise depleted,
Or maybe you're just looking to create a peaceful moment for yourself.
Either way,
It's my hope that this practice nourishes you and that you come back to it any time you need a moment of rest.
Begin by letting the body rest.
If you're in a place where you can lie down,
You're welcome to do so.
If you're sitting or standing,
See if you can let the body soften.
You might lean back slightly or let something be supported a little more.
You might allow yourself to let go a little more than usual.
If there's anything you can do to make the body even 5% more comfortable,
Go ahead and make that adjustment now.
And when you're ready,
Allow the eyes to lower or gently close.
I'll guide you through different muscle groups in the body,
And if you find areas of tightness,
See if they can soften even slightly.
And if there are places that don't want to release or can't release,
Let them be held with compassion and care.
Begin with the feet and legs.
Feel their weight.
Notice if there's any tension there that can be released.
Bring the awareness to the hands,
The arms.
Release any tension there that's ready to be released.
Bring the awareness to the front of the torso.
Release.
The back of the torso.
Release.
The shoulders,
Release.
The jaw,
The face,
The ears and sides of the head,
The back of the head,
The top of the head.
Allow the whole body to be included in this permission to rest.
Now bring gentle awareness to the breath.
There's no need to change it,
Simply notice the body breathing itself.
Breath coming in,
Breath going out.
Now bring the awareness to the thoughts.
You may notice them arising,
Moving through the mind,
Then falling away,
Maybe being replaced by another thought.
You don't need to follow them or push them away.
Just notice the thoughts coming and going,
Like clouds passing through a vast sky.
And now see if you can notice the sense of peace that's here underneath all that's coming and going.
The quiet background of awake awareness.
There's nothing more to add,
Nothing to do.
For the next few moments,
Simply be here.
Rest.
To come out of the practice,
Notice the breath.
Take a few slow,
Deep breaths,
Inhale and exhale.
Let the breath return to neutral and bring the awareness to the body.
You can start by wiggling the fingers and toes or making any other gentle movements or stretches to feel yourself coming back into the body.
If you're lying down on the back,
Roll over to one side.
If you're on one side,
Slowly press yourself up to seated.
Find a tall,
Long spine and we'll close this practice with a reminder that this place of peace is always within.
And with that truth on our minds and in our hearts,
And if you'd like,
With the palms of the hands together in front of the heart,
Together we'll send out a silent wish that all beings everywhere know peace,
Peace,
And only peace.
And when you're ready,
Gently lift or open the eyes.
And thank you for taking this moment of rest with me today.
