Remember right now that at least for the next few minutes you don't need to do anything but just be.
If it helps,
Let yourself know that this is your time.
There will be plenty more time during this day for thinking about what has gone and what is to come and for doing.
This is time for yourself and for connecting with others who dwell in the heart.
If you're not already,
You may like to come to a sitting position.
Let yourself be comfortable,
Allowing your back to be upright if that feels comfortable,
If you can.
And just resting your palms in whatever way feels most comfortable in your lap or on your thighs.
If thoughts come,
Just let them pass,
Almost as though you're observing them,
Reminding yourself that there will be time later to nurture them and entertain the journeys they want to take you on,
If that's meant to be.
Notice the sensation of touch where your palms are resting.
You might notice a little warmth in your hands and how that is shared with the contact they make with your lap or legs.
Allow your focus to settle on this contact at the moment,
To be the locus of your attention.
You might like to think that your hands are very gently holding your legs,
Greeting your legs,
Making friends with them,
Offering them a blessing,
Healing.
Now bringing your hands together,
So your fingers entwine with each other as though the cup of your hand were making a tiny nest resting on your lap.
Notice the sensations where your fingers touch as they cross and work together to form this little nest.
Bring your attention now to your heart space.
Reach deeper into this space with every breath.
Make this the place where you are most attentive,
Almost as though the heart adheres to listen as it does,
And eyes to see,
Knowing that this is the place where the prayers that we speak are listened to.
Let's open up now into prayer,
Asking our God to bless someone,
Perhaps someone you know,
Who is now unemployed.
At an age when they want to be working,
They want to feel of service,
Of value to others.
Send your love to that person now,
Holding them in your heart mind's eye,
Imagining that they may be surrounded in light,
Touched by grace,
Knowing that they are loved.
Ask with me that they may be filled with courage,
Encouraged by hope,
And that opportunities may open up to them,
Ones that they may not have imagined before.
That they will see how they may be of service and feel valued,
And a sense of purpose in their lives.
And that there will be provision for their needs,
Financial and otherwise.
Let this vision for this person,
This hopeful promise grow stronger,
Ever more vivid within your imagination,
Within what you see and wish for them.
Ask that they will be blessed,
That they will be reassured,
And extending now that wish,
That vision for all those who are unemployed within your neighborhood,
Town or city.
The newly unemployed,
Those who have lost jobs in industries that are suffering,
Perhaps ones that have faced great change during this period of pandemic.
And those who have been unemployed for a long time,
Seeking work,
At times feeling helpless and hopeless,
Believing that no door will open to them as they faced many rejections and disappointments.
Give them courage.
Show them the way forward.
Bring hope and light into their lives.
And continuing to reach out further,
Extending that will,
That wish for others in your country,
To all neighboring countries.
And continuing to circle out as it were,
To the whole world.
Ask that they may be blessing,
That they may be hope for all who find themselves,
And many,
Many millions in this situation.
Ask that they may be blessed,
That they may be loved,
That they might find hope and peace and happiness.
And slowly now beginning to come out of this deep place,
To come out of this time of meditation,
Reflection and prayer.
Slowly becoming more aware of your body,
The contact it makes with the ground,
With the seat.
Noticing small sensations around you,
Not being distracted by them,
But just becoming aware of what you hear,
Of what you feel.
And beginning to become aware of the room or the place where you are now.
And now you're ready,
Very gently,
Opening your eyes,
And coming back to the place where you began.
