Sailing is a great way to learn a simple truth that much of your life is outside your control.
You can't affect whether you have wind,
Much less how strong the wind is and which direction it blows.
Simple sailing isn't about being passive,
It's about being strategic.
Whichever direction the wind is coming from,
We must figure out how best to set our sails and use the wind as effectively as possible to maximise speed and direction.
Just like in life,
We choose to hit to respond to whatever challenges come our way.
Although we often have limited control over these events,
The way we deal with them can have a serious effect on our wellbeing.
You have control over your attitude.
You have control over your feelings.
You have control over your behaviour.
And you control your sailboat.
When we become captains of our own ship,
We're able to go wherever we want.
We don't try to control the wind.
We learn how to react to it.
Welcome to our 15 minute meditation for control.
I'd like you to begin by taking a comfortable seated position on the floor with your legs crossed or on a chair with your feet firmly planted on the ground.
You can rest your hands in your lap or on your knees.
Begin by gently closing your eyes.
Take a deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Take another deep breath in and out.
On the next inhale,
Feel your belly rise,
The ribs expand and finally the chest lift.
On the exhale,
The breath leaves the chest,
Ribs fall,
Belly contracts.
Continue with this breath,
Filling all three parts of the breath and think to yourself,
Belly ribs chest,
Chest ribs belly.
I want you to be gentle with any thoughts or feelings that come up for you today.
Thoughts and feelings come up all the time.
This is just naturally what happens.
But it's also okay to let these thoughts and feelings take a pause.
As we continue this meditation,
More thoughts and feelings might come up for you.
They may come fast,
They may come slow.
Anytime a thought or feeling comes up,
I want you to look at that thought or look at that feeling.
Explore it and tell it,
It's okay.
It is what it is.
And let that thought or feeling gently float away.
Let that thought or feeling gently float away.
Now take a moment to place your attention in your heart and focus on today's centering thought.
I am in control of my life and my actions.
I create my own reality.
Whenever you find yourself distracted by thoughts,
Sensations in your body or noises in the environment,
Simply return your attention by mentally repeating this mantra.
I am in control of my life and my actions.
I create my own reality.
I am in control of my life and my actions.
I create my own reality.
I am in control of my life and my actions.
I create my own reality.
I create my own reality.
I create my own reality.
I create my own reality.
I create my own reality.
I create my own reality.
I create my own reality.
I create my own reality.
I create my own reality.
I create my own reality.
I create my own reality.
I create my own reality.
I create my own reality.
I'd like you to release our mantra.
Rest in being.
Rest in stillness.
Rest in awareness.
Exist in existence.
And in your own time,
Slowly bring your awareness back to where you are.
And when you're ready,
You can gently open your eyes.
Thank you for joining me for this beautiful meditation and giving yourself this gift.
Whatever came up today,
I want you to embrace it fully.
Remember that you are the captain of your own sailboat.
You're able to go wherever you want because you create your own reality.
Have a beautiful day full of peace and opportunity.
Keep growing and keep loving.
Namaste.
