As we prepare ourselves for meditation today,
I encourage you to have a blanket or meditation shawl on hand for the second half of our meditation.
Moving now into a comfortable seated position,
Taking the next few moments to yourself as we shift from our current mindset into one of presence and stillness.
Our practice today is about heat,
The different ways we can find it,
And how it can help us relax and release stress.
First,
Internally through the breath,
Second,
Externally from different props,
And finally through visualization.
So awareness now to the breath.
Prepare the mind and body for Kapalabhati,
The cleansing breath,
Performed by forcefully drawing the abdomen back and up on one,
And then relaxing the abdomen allowing the lungs to passively fill on two.
Repeating that pattern today for one round of 50 repetitions,
Followed by a 30 second retention of the breath.
Bring the hands into Chin Mudra,
Thumb and index fingers touching lightly,
The remaining fingers together but relaxed,
Making a connection between the individual and collective consciousness.
Exhale completely,
Then inhale slow and deep,
Beginning in the abdomen,
Feel it expand,
Moving into the ribs,
And then the chest,
Feel it lift.
Then we exhale completely,
Chest falls,
Ribs dry in,
Navel pulls towards the spine at the bottom of the breath.
One more time,
Inhale slowly,
Full yogic breath,
And then exhale all the air out.
Starting now,
Inhale and begin.
One more time.
One,
Two,
One,
Two,
One,
Two,
One,
Two,
One,
Two,
One,
Two,
One,
Two,
One,
Two,
One,
Two,
One,
Two,
And exhale,
Squeezing all the air out.
Inhale deeply,
Exhale completely.
One more time,
Inhale,
And exhale.
Inhale a comfortable amount,
And hold.
Awareness between the eyebrows,
Keep the body relaxed.
And exhale,
Allowing the breath to return to its natural rhythm.
Maintain your posture,
Maintain your inward focus.
If you have a blanket or a shawl with you,
Now is the time I recommend to wrap it around your being.
Continuing to add to the warmth of the body and the comfortable feeling we are now searching for.
In your mind's eye,
Picture yourself sitting fireside,
Whatever that scenario looks like to you.
Shape the setting of the room or outside space you are drawn to,
To fit your ideal location.
See your surroundings as they begin to form,
And notice how the light of the fire nearby dances off of them.
Hear the distinct natural sound of the fire as it crackles and sways.
Take in the pleasant scent of the fire as it moves throughout the air.
Finally,
Feel the heat of the fire spread throughout your mind and body,
Warming the soul.
Fire is known as an element of cleansing,
So as if this fire could melt away stress or unwanted feelings.
Imagine any you are holding onto in this moment dissipate,
Even if for just the duration of this practice.
As the nearby fire lifts this heavy burden from your shoulders,
Feel the spine lengthen upward,
Growing taller,
And your body relaxing,
Feeling lighter.
This is where we will remain for the duration of our practice,
Together with our ideal setting,
The music,
Our breath,
And this element of fire,
An internal bliss.
Know I will be here to bring you back when it is time to move on.
This is where we will remain for the duration of our practice,
Together with our ideal setting,
The music,
Our breath,
And this element of fire.
This is where we will remain for the duration of our practice,
Together with our ideal setting,
The music,
Our breath,
And this element of fire.
This is where we will remain for the duration of our practice,
Together with our ideal setting,
The music,
Our breath,
And this element of fire.
This is where we will remain for the duration of our practice,
Together with our ideal setting,
The music,
Our breath,
And this element of fire.
This is where we will remain for the duration of our practice,
Together with our ideal setting,
The music,
Our breath,
And this element of fire.
This is where we will remain for the duration of our practice,
Together with our ideal setting,
The music,
Our breath,
And this element of fire.
This is where we will remain for the duration of our practice,
Together with our ideal setting,
The music,
Our breath,
And this element of fire.
This is where we will remain for the duration of our practice,
Together with our ideal setting,
The music,
Our breath,
And this element of fire.
This is where we will remain for the duration of our practice,
Together with our ideal setting,
The music,
Our breath,
And this element of fire.
This is where we will remain for the duration of our practice,
Together with our ideal setting,
The music,
Our breath,
And this element of fire.
This is where we will remain for the duration of our practice,
Together with our ideal setting,
The music,
Our breath,
And this element of fire.
This is where we will remain for the duration of our practice,
Together with our ideal setting,
The music,
Our breath,
And this element of fire.
This is where we will remain for the duration of our practice,
Together with our ideal setting,
The music,
Our breath,
And this element of fire.
This is where we will remain for the duration of our practice,
Together with our ideal setting,
The music,
Our breath,
And this element of fire.
This is where we will remain for the duration of our practice,
Together with our ideal setting,
The music,
Our breath,
And this element of fire.
This is where we will remain for the duration of our practice,
Together with our ideal setting,
The music,
Our breath,
And this element of fire.
Begin to release the practice.
Allow yourself any small movements the body wants to make.
And when you're ready,
Slowly open the eyes,
Letting the light of the world back in.
I hope this meditation has helped you to recognize the power we have within us,
And tools we have available to us to assist with the hardships we face on a regular basis.
This practice is one of your greatest allies.
I truly thank you for listening and allowing me to share it with you.
Until next time,
And with love,
Om Namah Shivaya,
Namaste.
