When I sit down to meditate,
I begin and end by taking a deep bow and saying,
Thank you out loud.
I'm not saying this to anyone or anything in particular,
Just thank you.
Thank you for this chance to be alive.
Thank you for this precious chance that I have right here in front of me.
Thank you for the good things and the bad things.
The bad things help me appreciate the good.
Thank you for the lessons of living,
However they present themselves,
Mostly.
Thank you just for this.
Thank you for this strange and beautiful gift of consciousness.
What is this really?
I don't know how this works,
And I know I can't know,
But thank you for letting me be a part of it.
If you will repeat the words with me in your mind or out loud until you reach a point of really feeling like you mean it,
Not just in your mind,
But in your heart,
At the center of you and all through your body.
Feel whatever is taking you away from just this and then return here until you really mean it.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
Thank you.
And thank you for spending this time with me,
And I do really mean you,
Like,
Hey,
You,
I see you.
Thank you for being you.
Thank you for offering your gifts to the world in whatever way you can.
Thank you.
