To this day,
I still recall a very stark and transformative statement made by one of my instructors while I was in yoga teacher training,
And that was,
We don't own our bodies.
As that sank in with me,
I began to ponder other things we,
As humans,
Don't own.
We don't truly own many of our material possessions,
Because when we change forms,
They will be liquidated or given away to others.
All of that sounded a little grim to me,
Until I began to focus on what we do truly own.
Those include our thoughts,
Words,
Emotions,
Imagination,
Memories,
And actions,
Among so many other things.
I received so many stay-in-school talks as I was growing up,
The justification being that no one can take an education from us.
And while that is certainly true,
I've come to realize that the true meaning of education doesn't come from a strictly scholastic standpoint.
Life lessons are also impossible to take away from us.
So what else do we truly own?
You own every smile or hug you've exchanged with someone.
You also own each step you've taken,
Each chance you've taken.
You own every one of your experiences.
Having said that,
You are likely an incredibly wealthy person.
So,
Each day when you get up and go out into the world,
Find something that is truly worth owning.
Find something that will outlast a stock market crash,
A famine,
The roughest time you can imagine.
Find those things and breathe them into your soul,
Because your soul is what you truly own,
My dear friend.
With this in mind,
I would like to offer the following short meditation.
Begin in a position that is comfortable for you.
This can be sitting or lying down.
Close your eyes and focus on your breath as you allow your jaw and shoulders to soften.
Relax your neck.
Release any tension your body might be storing.
Feel yourself grounding and being supported by the earth,
Protected by the earth,
As you enter into your sacred space and time.
Sense that you are protected from all harm.
Let go of any fears,
Worries,
Or troubles.
With each inhale,
Feel shielded.
With each exhale,
Release something that doesn't serve you.
Do this several times.
Concentrate on what you truly own.
As you do so,
Release that which you do not wish to own.
This can be discomfort,
Fear,
Worry,
And so forth.
Inhale what benefits you.
Exhale what doesn't.
Visualize your mind and spirit as an attic.
There is only so much room in that space.
So clear out anything that isn't helpful and invite in only what is.
At your own pace,
Invite subtle movements into your body.
Let your eyes open slowly.
Take three deep breaths.
As this meditation concludes,
Remember to sense a white light of protection enveloping you.
The crow flies from me to thee to send the message,
Blessed Be.
Namaste.
