Today I'm sharing a simple imaginative practice inspired by a passage in the ancient Hebrew scriptures.
This passage describes how,
In the beginning of time,
God formed humankind from the dust of the ground.
God then breathed the divine presence into the first man's nostrils,
And God's breath of life became the animating force.
In another scripture,
It says that if God withdrew her breath,
All of life would cease,
And all of humanity would turn to dust.
Today's meditation is a reminder of the God whose breath continues to animate our lives.
A God who is as accessible as our next intake of breath.
A God who is described in mothering postures throughout the scriptures.
Perhaps God breathes into us still.
Create a quiet and safe space where you can relax and choose a posture that helps you find ease in your body.
Release any worries or responsibilities that you may have just for the duration of this practice.
As any anxious thoughts or feelings come up,
You can acknowledge them and remind them that you will be able to return to them after the practice.
Bring to mind a time that you were holding a baby or a sleeping child.
Most people have some experience of rocking or comforting a child,
And the love and peaceful feelings that it brings.
Fully enter into this experience imagining that you are holding a baby or child now.
Take in the details of the child's face.
Imagine the weight of the child in your arms.
Hear their little breaths in and out as you hold them,
Perhaps cradling them in your arms,
Perhaps caressing their face.
Notice how perhaps your breaths begin to sync with the child's,
And let yourself experience these emotions that may swell up.
Maybe a strong feeling of love in your heart,
Maybe a warmth or a peace throughout your body.
Allow yourself to bask in those feelings.
Now,
Switch perspectives and become the child in God's arms.
Now,
God is cradling you,
Loving you,
And God's breaths are synced with yours.
Take a breath in,
And as you do,
Imagine that your inhale is God's exhale flowing into you.
And as you exhale,
Imagine that you are breathing out to God,
Allowing your exhale to become God's inhale as the breath flows back to God.
Continue this pattern,
Breathing with God,
Feeling the rhythm and flow of God's presence.
As you breathe in,
Let go of any tension or stress in your body.
Feel God's breath filling you up,
Bringing you peace and comfort.
As you exhale,
Release any negative thoughts or emotions,
Allowing them to flow out of you and back to God.
Keep breathing in this way,
Allowing yourself to become fully present and connected to God's presence.
Let yourself be fully held like a child at peace with their mother.
As we near the end of the practice,
Let go of this imagery and simply notice what it feels like to be in silence with God's presence.
As you go about your day,
Remember to pay attention to your breath,
Recognizing that God breathes with you.
Throughout the day,
You can come back to this experience,
Allowing yourself to feel the Spirit's presence and guidance.
