Red Light Meditation Inspired By Thich Nhat Hanh

We begin with inspiration from Thich Nhat Hanh from "Peace is Every Step", one paragraph from "driving meditation." This opens us up in a big way for a more mindful method of being, transforming things that would normally irritate us into gifts from the Universe. Thay and I offer some perfect reminders, that occur every day, as tools for our awakening and increased peace in our lives and the world at large. Harmony in the Collective Consciousness is increasing day by day.

Transcript

Welcome to this meditation.

Take a moment to get comfortable in your seats,

And you're shifting out that helps you get comfortable.

Perhaps taking a deep breath,

Bringing us into this present moment,

Signaling to the body that this is a time to be still and go within.

I'm going to begin this meditation reading one paragraph out of a book called Peace is Every Step by Thich Nhat Hanh.

This is one paragraph from the section titled Driving Meditation.

Driving is a daily task in this society.

I'm not suggesting you stop driving,

Just that you do so consciously.

While we are driving,

We think only about arriving.

Therefore,

Every time we see a red light,

We are not very happy.

The red light is kind of an enemy that prevents us from attaining our goal.

But we can also see the red light as a bell of mindfulness,

Reminding us to return to the present moment.

Next time you see a red light,

Please smile at it and go back to your breathing.

Breathing in,

I calm my body.

Breathing out,

I smile.

It is easy to transform a feeling of irritation into a pleasant feeling.

Although it is the same red light,

It becomes different.

It becomes a friend,

Helping us remember that it is only in the present moment that we can live our lives.

That's the paragraph right where we are.

It's taking a deep breath together.

And as we release it,

Recognizing that we can only be in one moment at a time.

So right where we are at right now,

This is a moment to be still.

Let go of any thoughts about today,

Thoughts about what we have to do later.

Allow ourselves to be perfectly present where we are at.

Taking a moment to notice how the chair seats,

Maybe if you're lying on your back,

Just noticing whatever surface is supporting our bodies.

Taking a moment to notice where it connects with our body,

Different spots of contact.

Taking in a little bit about the room that surrounds us.

Being present right where we are at.

Just a moment,

We'll take in a deep breath through our nose.

We'll hold our breath.

Just notice the sensations that arise.

Hold with your eyes closed.

Maybe we have them half closed,

Half open.

Whatever is most comfortable.

Let's take in a deep breath together.

Hold that breath for just a moment.

Maybe as we hold it,

We notice the beating of our heart a little more pronounced.

Maybe a light,

Dizzy sensation in our head.

Then let's visualize our bodies releasing any tension as we allow ourselves to exhale.

Notice if we're flexing any muscles or crunching our shoulders up.

Any shifting again that we need to do to become more relaxed.

Let's take in another deep breath together.

Hold that breath again.

Becoming aware of puffiness of our chest.

Noticing if there's any thoughts that are getting our attention.

Just recognizing.

Then again,

We'll invite our bodies to relax deeply as we exhale.

Any more shifting if we like.

Recognizing that our bodies are letting go,

Relaxing deeply into this moment.

We'll take a third and symbolic final deep breath in and hold again.

Maybe with the thought of gratitude that we're alive and present at this very moment.

What a seeming miracle it really is.

Consciousness in the body,

In this amazing world.

Pretty amazing.

Then as we exhale,

Just relaxing fully into this moment.

Now imagining as if there's golden light shining right above us.

An image of something that looks like the sun.

Glowing ball over us that exudes warmth,

Feeling of peace.

Now imagine as if this light is just unconditional love.

Feeling of complete acceptance,

Support.

It's just a ball of pure,

Unconditionally loving energy.

Deepest thing that you might think,

Come from the infinite nature.

Whatever your idea of this bigger thing is,

Now as it hovers above you,

Imagine that it just starts to cascade as if extremely fine,

Warm oil.

It just brings a relaxation,

Feeling of luxury,

Lushness,

Soothing,

Warming energy,

Pouring over your entire being,

Not just your body,

But your mind,

Your soul.

Soothing light is slowly just dripping down,

Filling your being.

Bringing in a state of complete relaxation.

Clarity and fiber,

Your total being,

Guarding at the top of your head,

Down through your facial muscles,

Your jaw,

Your neck,

Your shoulders,

Wrapping you in a comfort.

Helping you feel that right now in this moment,

Everything is okay.

This continues down to relax your body,

Recognizing anywhere that you might still be a little tense.

Allow that image of that light coating our bodies down and through all the way until it's all exiting out through the tips of our toes,

The tips of our fingers.

Keeps on our own.

Any last looks,

Is there anywhere that still might be flexing a knee or a joint,

Pressures on a ligament,

And then what do we need shifting that we need to do until our body feels as if it's melting into this pool of warm soothing oil,

Releasing our physical form to a state of presence,

Fluidity?

Perhaps this can bring a smile to your face,

Knowing that that essence of what you are is as expansive as your imagination.

This pool of your energy is infinite if your mind can imagine that.

Going from this place within,

Recognizing that by shifting our state of mind,

We connect with a deeper calm that's present within every cell,

Every atom of our body.

It's available in our mind through our imagination.

Through that awareness,

Bring a feeling of contentedness,

The center of our heart space.

Maybe the word soul resonates with you.

Maybe not.

Whatever it is,

That center of our being that gives us life.

Drawing from if not Han,

The idea of driving in our cars.

Yes,

We have a destination,

But are we present while we are there?

Using that red light is the perfect reminder to take a breath and remember this place within our being.

That every red light is a gift,

A moment to take pause and bring a little more stillness to our life.

Let's expand that.

It's something else that we do every day.

Maybe next time in the morning when it's time to brush our teeth.

Instead of rushing through the chore to get to the next thing that we're doing,

Recognize the smell of the toothpaste.

Feeling of the brush where it connects the gums and the teeth.

The sensation of cleaning off each individual tooth.

Using that daily activity as a way to connect with the present moment.

Each moment will never be there again.

How many moments do we actually allow ourselves to be fully present?

Let's take a few moments right now to observe our bodies,

The sensations that we have in our physical being.

Observe any thoughts that arise,

Insights or observations.

Including noticing any emotions or emotional sensations that we might have in this next minute or so of quiet.

Allowing ourselves to be fully present in this exact moment now.

Let's take a few moments.

Let's take a few moments.

Let's take a few moments.

I invite you to again allow a gentle smile on your face that causes a physical release of the feel-good chemicals,

Endorphins.

That helps cement this state of calm into your physical being.

A place that we can visit often.

In this place of a deeper presence,

As much or as little as you're willing to lean into this.

I invite us to allow a feeling of goodwill,

Good intentions and good wishes for the people around you,

And allow this to appear like a substance or a liquid or a light that emanates from the center of your being,

Reaching out through our imagination's eye.

Those around us in our communities,

Our larger region.

Continuing through our country,

Our continents,

The hemisphere,

And it's all circling the entire globe.

Connecting with those who are also more peace and more harmony on this planet.

Working on some level as a beacon or invitation to those who are seeking something,

But maybe not knowing what.

Through some level of consciousness,

There could be a connection.

Meaning through unseen levels of consciousness and collective mind.

Meeting those that are living in fear or anger.

For those that are in sadness and loneliness.

The light in you connects with the light in them.

Bringing a glimmer of hope to those who are hungry for that.

That through this field of consciousness,

This image of light,

Compassion,

Inclusivity,

And wellness,

That on some level,

Some plane,

Connects and creates that vibration.

And recognizing everything that we point out returns to us.

We create this feedback loop that we're reinforced with this intention and visualization for the upcoming days that we can recognize and see and feel that as it does return.

Perhaps getting our attention when before we might have missed it.

Maybe next time that we come upon a red light or a stop in traffic,

Brushing our teeth,

Taking a shower,

That reminder of this calm within and allow it to activate bigger,

More intentional,

Compassionate thoughts that emanate around the globe.

I encourage you to give yourself a mental pat on the back,

Maybe a mental hug.

In this time tonight,

Go within.

Be open-minded and willing to allow your imagination to expand.

Please receive my thanks and gratitude for joining in on this meditation.

Let's acknowledge that there's a deeper knowing within us,

That our body has an intelligence,

But as we begin to come out of this meditation,

We feel perfectly rejuvenated,

Refreshed,

And in the state of mind that we need for whatever part of the day is coming next for us,

Whether it's a time for rest or a time to get going.

Through our intention,

We can allow this meditation to bring whatever it is that we need to carry on most effectively.

So,

As you're ready,

You can let your bodies shift,

Returning to the space around you,

Maybe one last conscious breath or a couple.

Eyes are closed when you're ready,

Allow them to gently open back into the now space around us,

Perhaps a little lighter.

Thank you and Namaste.