Let's begin our meditation practice by moving into a comfortable position suited for you in this moment.
Give yourself permission to be here,
To relax,
To be still in body and search for stillness in the mind.
We are here to move away from external distractions,
To set aside that which occupies most of our day,
To identify the thoughts and ways of thinking which are not serving us,
To let them fade even if for this short while.
Take a moment also to simply remind yourself you are never alone and you always have at least your breath and the self to connect with when needed.
In this space we try to shed the jackets of the ego and encounter our true reality.
We move now into an easy breath pattern to stimulate a calm and relaxed feeling,
Telling all parts of the being that we are slowing down.
This is the box breath.
It is equal parts inhale,
Exhale and retention.
Practicing today to a count of four.
To begin exhale completely.
With me inhale one,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Hold one,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Exhale one,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Hold one,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Inhale one,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Hold one,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Exhale one,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Hold one,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Inhale one,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Hold.
1,
2,
3,
4.
Exhale.
1,
2,
3,
4.
Hold.
1,
2,
3,
4.
Inhale.
1,
2,
3,
4.
Hold.
1,
2,
3,
4.
Exhale.
1,
2,
3,
4.
Hold.
1,
2,
3,
4.
Inhale.
1,
2,
3,
4.
Hold.
1,
2,
3,
4.
Exhale.
1,
2,
3,
4.
Hold 1,
2,
3,
4.
Feel free to continue this pattern if it feels right for you or return the breath to its natural rhythm.
Wherever you find yourself,
Take these next few moments to tune your awareness solely to the breath and how it feels as it moves through your body.
This meditation is about intention and how we want to embrace the concept moving into the future.
For intention is the seed that creates our future.
First we need to ask ourselves a few questions to discover and connect with our intention.
Observe how your mind initially reacts to each one.
That is often how we truly feel.
What do I want to feel more of in my daily life?
What do I see in others that I would like to be too?
What do I need to feel so that I can be more?
What do I need to feel so that I can do more?
What do I need to be my truest,
Authentic self?
Now if you could pick one word that connects with how you responded to these questions.
One word that identifies with who you want to be and how you want to approach this year.
Your intention and what would it be?
Take a moment to consider.
Shift your awareness to the space between your eyebrows or to the space of the heart,
Whichever comes more naturally and begin to repeat your word internally as you inhale and as you exhale.
Using this word as your point of concentration.
Whatever you notice your mind has wandered or a thought has drawn you from the practice.
Without judgment,
Bring yourself back to this repetition.
Maintain your posture,
Maintain your inward focus.
This will be the practice for the next number of minutes.
This will be the practice for the next number of minutes.
Slowly begin to release the repetition.
Let it fade gradually into the background becoming nothing but a whisper and eventually only a memory.
Bringing your awareness back to the body and the space around you.
Xing Yun said,
Intention is the core of all conscious life.
Conscious intention colors and moves everything.
Transitioning out of this practice into the rest of your day.
Remember your word.
Remember your intention.
Each day we continue to consciously connect with them to become more a part of us.
I hope this meditation has aided in shining a light on what truly moves you.
And I thank you for allowing me to share it with you.
Until next time,
And with love,
Namaste.
