Life falling apart.
At some point in our life,
We will come up against suffering when life seems to be falling apart.
Perhaps you are experiencing a divorce,
The loss of a loved one,
A loss of a job,
Or any change in life circumstances.
I have had several of these events in my life.
I know for sure that my meditation and spiritual practices have given me a solid foundation on which to stand during these times,
Even though it may not have felt like it all the time.
I knew I had a practice that would settle me,
Offer me clarity on how to move forward.
I invite you now to envision a time of challenges.
What are you dealing with now?
Take a moment to deeply feel into the thoughts,
Feelings,
And sensations in your body-mind.
Notice what arises without judgment.
Let it all just be here,
Invited in.
Take a deep breath,
Fully down into your belly,
And slowly breathe out.
Once again,
Breathe in and exhale like you're blowing out birthday candles.
Settle into normal breathing and invite yourself to notice what's here,
Continuing to drop a bit deeper with each exhalation.
If there is anger,
Notice anger.
Is there feelings of anxiety?
Perhaps under the anger or anxiety is actually fear.
Breathe.
Soften the belly with each exhalation.
Allow all emotions to be here just because they are.
Softening your belly,
Softening your breath.
Placing your hand on your heart and offer compassion to yourself.
Feel tenderness towards yourself.
Breathing,
Softening with kindness.
Bring soft awareness to body sensations.
Invite yourself to let go of the scenario,
The story,
All the thoughts and judgments that may be here.
Gently exploring,
Breathing in and breathing out.
Where did the story reside in your body?
Perhaps the belly or the stomach,
Perhaps the throat or jaw.
Gently touch this area with kind attention,
Perhaps placing your hand on this body part,
Thanking this part for the information.
Softening the breath as you breathe in and you breathe out.
Softening belly,
Softening body.
Take a few moments of silence to experience what arises now.
Breathing to noticing the body breathing.
Take the next few moments to bring awareness of how you are now feeling in body,
Mind,
Spirit.
Placing your hand on your heart once again and offering gratitude for the courage to stay with the emotions that arise.
Breath flowing in,
Breath flowing out.
Feel the sensations of your body sitting or laying down,
The contact you make with the floor or the chair.
Feeling the movement of the breath.
Life as it enters on the in-breath and softens on the out-breath.
May you feel at ease.
