Let's begin by setting the motivation to be fully present with ourselves as we aspire for the inevitable benefit that this practice will bring,
Not simply to us,
But to all living beings.
I invite you to find a comfortable posture where you can maintain a level of both deep relaxation and attention.
Breathing in your own normal way,
Begin to settle your body,
Speech,
And mind in a state of relaxation,
Stability,
And clarity.
Create a sense of stillness in your body that reflects your own inherent dignity and power.
And in an effort to offer ourselves a most profound love and kindness,
As you consider the questions offered in this meditation,
Feel free to let go of any desire to look for your answers in the past or in projections of the future.
Give yourself permission to be fully of this moment in time,
Staying true to what is unique and present in your life right now.
We begin by asking ourselves,
In this moment,
What is my vision of genuine happiness?
What would truly bring me satisfaction and a deep sense of meaning?
What is my vision of my own flourishing,
And how must I develop my mind in accordance with that growth?
Holding this vision in mind,
Arouse the aspiration of kindness for yourself,
Bearing in mind that kindness,
As we evoke it in this context,
Is not simply an emotion or a feeling,
But an aspiration for our continued practice.
And if it's comfortable for you in this moment,
Wish yourself well.
Consciously arouse the aspiration,
May I be healthy.
May I be safe.
May I find this vision of genuine happiness.
In this and in every moment of when we feel the pressure of external and internal limitations,
It's important to remember that we still have unmitigated access to our own imagination,
And that we can venture boldly into the realm of possibilities.
So take advantage of your imagination here and now.
With each out-breath,
Give yourself the space to explore the happiness and fulfillment that is your innermost desire.
Imagine how your thriving might look and feel.
Now observe your vision with the understanding that there's no possible way for any of us to realize our deepest aspiration without the help of those around us,
Especially now.
We are interdependent,
Completely.
It's not possible to manifest the fullness of our aspirations completely on our own.
So it raises the second question,
And that is,
In order to realize my greatest well-being,
What would I love to receive from the world around me?
In the short term and the long term,
What would I wish from those who are near and far to assist me on my path?
What would I love to receive from the world?
Here with each inhalation,
Arouse the aspiration that this too can manifest.
The aspiration that whatever you truly need,
Moment to moment,
Day to day,
To take you to the next step in your journey,
That the love and kindness of other beings will rise up to meet you.
That you will receive all you need from the world.
Imagine this symbolically as the kindness of all sentient beings,
Wishing you the material aspects of what you need so that you can realize your own goal of ultimate and genuine happiness.
And again,
Let your imagination play.
Imagine here and now receiving all that you truly need,
Breath by breath.
And simply rest as you evoke gratitude for all that you receive along your path.
Letting that consideration fade into the space of the mind,
We consider a third observation,
And that is that genuine happiness,
True fulfillment,
Cannot possibly be realized without some very meaningful inward transformation.
We must grow,
And most of all,
We must purify our minds.
So this raises the third question,
And that is,
How would I love to transform?
In order to realize my heart's desire,
What qualities that get in my way would I love to be free from?
And with what qualities that nurture my growth would I love to be endowed?
What elements of who I want to be would I love to cultivate?
Even with every out-breath,
I invite you to arouse this aspiration of loving-kindness.
May this too be true.
May I find this vision of genuine happiness.
Breath by breath,
Imagine that such transformation is taking place right here and right now.
And so we come to our fourth and final observation.
And that is that none of us exist in isolation independently.
Our lives,
Our well-being,
Is utterly bound up,
Interdependent with all of those around us.
So honoring this understanding,
In order to imbue your own life with the greatest possible meaning,
Satisfaction,
Fulfillment,
We raise the fourth question,
And that is,
What would I love to offer the world around me?
Drawing from my own unique background,
My gifts,
And my skills,
What are the greatest elements of good I can imagine offering to those who are near and far over the short-term and the long-term?
Showing my deepest potential,
My own best nature,
What would I love to offer the world?
With every out-breath,
Arouse the aspiration,
May it be so.
Imagine offering your very best,
Transforming everything into the good you would love to offer the world.
And imagine your offering being received and appreciated.
When it feels right,
I invite you to slowly release all appearances,
All aspirations,
And all objects of the mind.
And for a short time,
Gently rest your awareness in its own nature,
In the awareness of simply being aware.
