Hello my dear friends.
This is Bhante Sujata.
Today's meditation is called Funky Buddha.
Why funky?
Because life can be serious enough already.
Bills,
Work,
Traffic.
Politics.
And relationships.
Meditation is not here to make you more serious.
It's here to make you more alive.
We are going to practice joy today.
The kind of joy that comes from being real.
Relaxed and human.
Find a comfortable posture.
You can sit cross-legged.
On a chair,
Or even lie down.
Let your spine be soft but tall.
You feel relaxed.
Take a deep breath in through your nose.
And slowly breathe out through your mouth.
Let's begin with a smile.
Even a small one.
You don't have to feel joyful yet.
Just let your face remember how.
Feel your body.
Resting on the earth.
Feel the weight of your hips.
Your feet.
Your hands.
You don't have to be still right away.
Just present.
Take another deep breath in.
As you breathe in,
Say quietly in your mind,
I am here.
As you breathe out,
See.
And that's enough.
I am here.
That's enough.
Let go of the idea that meditation means you have to be holy or perfect.
You are already the beautiful mess of stardust and oxygen.
The Buddha smiled at people like you and me.
Not because we were perfect.
But because we are trying.
Now bring gentle attention to your heart.
Imagine it's soft and open.
Like sunlight dancing on water.
Take another breath and silently say to yourself,
I am well.
I am happy.
I am peaceful.
I am well.
I am happy.
I am peaceful.
If your mind says,
This is silly.
Smile and say back.
Thank you,
Mind.
OUL.
Opinion.
We are not chasing enlightenment right now.
We are practicing aliveness.
Let the corners of your mouth turn up.
Notice how your body changes when you smile.
The nervous system Here's it.
Oh,
It is safe here.
Now think of something small that's been bugging you lately.
A person,
A plan,
A worry.
See if you can picture it.
Now imagine it.
Sitting on the palm of your hand.
And gently blow it away like a feather.
Don't fight with it.
Mindfully analyze.
Then you can realize.
Mindfully analyze.
Which is?
Worry is the cause and effect.
Then there is realization.
Sometimes people say to me,
Bhante,
I can meditate.
Because I can't stop thinking.
And I say,
Good.
That means you are still alive.
You don't have to stop your mind.
You just have to stop believing everything it says.
As you breathe out,
Imagine laughter washing through your body.
It's quite laughter.
Joy without noise.
A feeling that says,
I am okay.
Even while life is not perfect.
Breathe in mindfully.
Breathe out mindfully.
Breathe in lovingly.
Breathe out lovingly.
Focus on your natural Ordinary breath.
Now let's play.
Eat the bread,
A little.
Inhale gently through your nose.
Exhale slowly through your mouth.
Let the breath sway like music.
If your body wants to move slightly,
Let it.
Rock-a-little Roll your shoulders.
Stretch your neck.
Meditation doesn't have to look like a statue.
Whatever you do,
Be aware of it.
Imagine your breath as a rhythm.
Inhale.
Exhale.
Inhale.
.
.
Exhale.
The heartbeat of the universe moving through you.
As you breathe.
Whisper softly.
I am well.
I am happy.
I'm peaceful.
And then extend your loving thoughts outward.
May all living beings be well.
Me or living beings.
Be happy.
May all living beings be peaceful.
Be well.
Be happy.
Be peaceful.
Feel how joyful it is to wish good things for others.
That's real funk.
Soulfulness of the heart.
No.
Rest in this feeling.
Notice the lightness in your body.
The openness in your breath.
Remember the Buddha laughed and smiled too.
He didn't come to make us serious.
He came to help us wake up.
Awake people are joyful.
Because they are not pretending anymore.
When you feel joy,
Don't apologize for it.
You are not ignoring the world.
You are healing it.
Just by being peaceful in your own skin.
Now slowly bring your awareness back to your body.
Feel your hands,
Your feet.
You see it touching the earth.
Take one deep breath in.
.
.
And one long breath out.
When you are ready,
Softly open your eyes.
Let your eyes smile.
Carry this joy with you.
Keep your practice real,
Simple and alive.
And always remember My Dear Friends,
May you be well.
May you be happy.
May you be peaceful.
Or you can repeat yourself.
I am well.
I am happy.
I am peaceful.
That is your daily mantra to repeat.
Keep laughing.
Let the sound of enlightenment warming up.
May peace be with you.
May you be well.
May you be happy.
May you be peaceful.
Thank you very much.
