Let's begin by settling into a comfortable position.
If you're sitting on a chair,
Try sitting on the front third of your seat,
With your back tall and upright,
Allowing the natural curve of your spine to stay intact.
Place your feet flat on the floor and rest your hands in your lap or wherever feels natural.
This posture helps the body stay alert yet relaxed.
If it feels comfortable,
Lower your gaze or gently close your eyes.
Start by noticing the physical sensations in your body.
Feel your feet planted on the ground,
Or the support of the chair or cushion beneath you.
Now let's take three deep breaths.
Inhale slowly and deeply through your nose,
Letting the breath fill your belly,
And exhale gently through your nose,
Making the exhale longer than the inhale.
Take your time with each breath.
You might place a hand on your belly to feel its rise and fall.
Deep breathing like this helps activate the parasympathetic nervous system,
Which calms the body and the mind.
It slows the heart rate,
Reduces anxiety,
And lowers blood pressure.
When you've taken your three deep breaths,
Let your breathing return to its natural rhythm.
Simply notice it as it is,
Without trying to change or control it.
Now shift your attention to the sensations of your breath.
You might feel the air moving in and out of your nose,
Or notice the gentle rise and fall of your belly.
Treat this practice like an exploration,
Observing the breath as it flows in and out.
Notice its rhythm,
Depth,
And texture.
There's no right or wrong way to do this,
So simply allow yourself to be here in this moment.
As you focus on the breath,
Thoughts will certainly arise.
This is completely natural.
It's just what the mind does.
When a thought arises,
Notice it without judgment and gently guide your attention back to the breath.
Imagine your thoughts as clouds drifting through the sky.
You see them,
But you don't need to follow them.
Instead,
Gently return your focus to the breath.
When your mind wanders into a story or gets caught up in planning or replaying something,
That's okay.
Recognize the thought with curiosity and gently return your attention to the breath.
Simply observe where your attention has gone,
Then choose to come back to the breath.
When your mind drifts,
Acknowledge it with curiosity and return your focus back to the breath.
You're doing great.
Simply observe where your attention has gone,
Then choose to come back to the breath.
When your mind drifts,
Acknowledge it with curiosity and return your focus back to the breath.
Imagine your thoughts as clouds drifting through the sky.
You see them,
But you don't need to follow them.
Instead,
Gently return your focus to the breath.
Recognize the thought with curiosity and gently return your attention to the breath.
When a thought arises,
Notice it without judgment and gently guide your attention back to the breath.
Simply observe where your attention has gone,
Then choose to come back to the breath.
Let's take a moment now to reflect on the effort it takes to be present.
Showing up for yourself in this way is an act of courage and self-care.
By nurturing your own well-being,
You're not only helping yourself,
But also positively impacting those around you.
Your calm and presence ripple outward,
Benefiting your community and the people you come into contact with.
Thank yourself for the time and intention you've brought to this practice.
As we near the end of this meditation,
Begin to bring your awareness back to your surroundings.
Notice the physical sensations in your body,
Your feet on the ground,
The support beneath you.
You might add some gentle movement,
Like wiggling your fingers and toes,
Or rolling your shoulders,
Or maybe rotating your neck side to side.
When you're ready,
Open your eyes slowly,
Taking in the room around you.
Thank yourself for this time of stillness and mindfulness.
It's a gift to pause and reconnect,
And I'm grateful you chose to share this practice together today.
