Today on the Bodhi Effect,
Strong back,
Soft front.
Begin by starting in a comfortable position,
Either seated with hands resting on your knees,
Or laying down on your back with your legs and arms extended.
Wherever you are for this practice,
We're going to begin with our palms facing the sky,
Allowing that energy to really sink in to your body.
Begin by noticing your breath.
Without any judgment,
Just awareness of the length,
The depth,
And the intention behind each inhale.
And exhale.
Notice the sensations that you feel in the body as your breath begins to dive deeper,
As you begin to inhale for a little bit longer,
And you exhale out with intention.
Just drawing awareness to how it feels as you inhale and you fill your heart,
Feeling your belly rise.
And you exhale all the air from out of your lungs,
Every last drop.
Continue this breath here.
Strong back,
Soft front.
Strong back,
Soft front.
When you hear these words,
What do you see?
Strong back,
Soft front.
When you hear these words,
What do you feel?
Strong back,
Soft front.
Our deepest human need is to be seen by other people.
As human beings,
We are hardwired for connection.
Although over time,
We lose our capacity to feel or express our pains and our discomforts.
Early on,
We are told to be brave.
Throughout life,
We are told to stay strong,
Not to cry or to show emotion.
So over time,
We build up our armor to fit in,
In hopes that we belong.
But with that heavy armor,
We never really show up as who we are.
And with that heavy armor,
We never really show up from the truth of our being.
When you walk through the world with an armored front,
You cannot be seen.
When you walk through the world with an armored front,
You cannot be known.
You cannot connect and speak and live your truth.
Strong back,
Soft front.
A strong back knows your worth.
A strong back knows your values.
A strong back knows your boundaries,
Your desires and your needs.
A soft front opens your heart for vulnerability.
A soft front opens your heart for curiosity.
A soft front opens your heart for compassion,
For love and for grace.
Close your eyes now.
And I want you to visualize yourself taking your armor off.
Placing your armor down by your side.
Feeling that weight begin to lift.
Strong back,
Soft front.
And ask yourself,
Dear one,
How do you feel?
How do you feel living from this place?
What may you speak?
What may you speak living from this place?
Strong back,
Soft heart.
And how may you lead?
How may you lead living from this place?
Strong back,
Soft front.
When you live from this place,
Know that you are supported.
Always,
In all ways,
You are supported.
When living from a place of a strong back and a soft front,
Trust is paramount.
Breathe in.
Exhale.
Strong back,
Soft front.
When you hear these words,
What do you see?
Strong back,
Soft front.
When you hear these words,
What do you say?
Strong back,
Soft front.
When you hear these words,
How do you lead through your day?
I invite you,
Dear one,
Without judgment,
Just awareness,
To notice the way you move through your day.
To notice the tension that may begin to build out from your heart.
And at times,
How it feels when you make the choice to soften it there.
Even if only for just a moment.
Notice the connections,
Notice the conversations and the space around you and how you feel in your day with a strong back and a soft front.
When you feel ready,
Bring yourself back to your body.
Bring yourself back to your breath,
Fluttering your eyes open.
Ending the practice with the word Sat Nam,
Which means I am truth.
I invite you to speak your truth,
Live your truth and be exactly who it is that you want to be.
No armor.
Sat Nam.
