Recently,
We had some unusual summer-like weather in October.
The sun was bright and it was warm.
There was a touch of humidity,
You know the kind that when mixed with a breeze gently touches your skin,
Making it feel so pleasant to be outside,
And especially just as we begin to enter into the cooler seasons.
But it felt cold inside my house.
I knew it was a beautiful day.
I was looking out my office window,
But I had no idea how warm and inviting it really was outside.
By midday,
I had my chance to go to the grocery store,
And I was surprised and overdressed for the weather.
I collected my items,
Made it to the grocery clerk,
And we exchanged pleasantries.
And I said,
It's so beautiful outside.
And she added,
It is.
And my house is so cold,
I can't believe it.
And this made me think,
What's happening inside our homes?
That keeps it chilly and warrants covering ourselves with layers.
Why do we feel cold inside when it's warm out?
When we step out into the warmth of the sun,
We feel the urge to shed our layers.
We allow ourselves to be exposed to the universe.
We give ourselves permission to be vulnerable to the elements and whatever the universe offers us.
We courageously step into our strong,
Beautiful selves.
We open our hearts to life and shine brightly as the universe provides more of what is needed for us to be who we were born to be,
Complete and whole just as we are.
Like the sun,
We shine our light,
Warming all those we encounter,
Offering our unique gifts to the world.
We share our kindness,
Our compassion,
Our love when we stand in our light.
We become the gift of love and light radiating out for all those who need warmth,
Encouraging them to step outside of their cool,
Protective layers and stand in their light that shines so very bright.
The world needs us all shining together as one.
So let's sit in meditation and radiate the light and love that is within us.
Find your way into a comfortable posture and begin to settle into your body,
Noticing the contact points your body makes with the areas that are supporting you,
Your feet on the floor,
Seat on the chair or cushion,
And feel into the weight of your body as gravity holds you in this earth's embrace and becoming aware of the breath as it moves in and out of the body,
Feeling into the sensations of the breath,
Cool air moving through the nostrils,
Moving and expanding the upper torso,
Chest,
Ribs,
Filling the lungs and expanding downward into the belly that rises,
Then feeling the softening of the belly and upper torso as warm air passes out of your nostrils or mouth,
This natural process of breathing,
Taking in life force and softening,
Letting go,
Releasing.
Follow the breath for a few more rounds as you ground yourself to the present moment and settle into your soft body breathing.
As you settle in,
Begin to turn your attention inward,
Exploring your internal weather.
What's asking to be known here?
Sensations of the body,
Thoughts passing by like clouds moving across the sky,
Maybe feelings follow thoughts and are accompanied by another thought.
It may be stormy or clear and there's no need to change a thing.
You cannot change the weather.
So allowing whatever's coming up for you to be held loosely with a kind and compassionate attitude and remembering that all things arise and pass without effort.
So letting go of wanting anything to be other than it is in this moment and using your breath as medicine.
If you encounter anything too challenging or difficult,
Breathing in deeply and a long slow exhale,
Letting it go and collecting your energy before returning to the practice being with sensations of body,
Heart and mind.
Now I invite you to imagine a small golden light in the center of your heart space.
The light expands and contracts as you breathe in and out of your heart.
Notice the play of light moving in concert with your breath.
Become aware of the temperature emanating from this light.
You might feel a slight warmth or maybe a coolness or maybe nothing at all and that's okay.
There's no right or wrong way to experience this.
This light reflects your gifts,
Your kindness,
Compassion and love.
So as you breathe through your heart,
Begin to expand the light and repeating the following affirmations silently or out loud or maybe just opening yourself to receive.
I am a kind and compassionate person.
Kindness flows effortlessly from me.
Kindness is a reflection of my inner strength.
My kindness is a gift I share freely with the world.
As you breathe through your heart,
Your light begins to shine even brighter.
Moving through your body,
Warming all your muscles,
Your blood,
Tissues,
Bones.
Just feel the warmth of kindness.
Now offering your compassion to expand this light even more.
I am patient and gentle with myself and others.
I choose to see the world through the eyes of compassion.
Compassion is the foundation of my inner peace and feeling the golden light moving beyond the soft edges of your body,
A pleasant warmth within and without.
And now moving the light beyond your body,
Encompassing all those who are in need with your gift of love.
My love is a source of strength and resilience.
I am connected to the universal love that flows through all things.
Love is the greatest gift I can give the world.
As you sit shining your light and offering warmth to the world,
Encouraging all those whose homes are cold and covered in layers to step into the light and warmth,
Inviting them to shed their coverings and stand in their strength and beauty,
Knowing that we are all standing together,
Shining as one as we sit in silence for a short period.
Now returning your awareness to your body on the surface it's on,
Feeling the weight of it grounded to the earth below,
Becoming aware of the air touching your skin and sounds within the room you're in.
And knowing that you can use this practice anytime you're in need of warming yourself from within.
You may even include one or more of these affirmations anytime you need self-care and support.
Now taking a conscious full breath in and letting it go completely.
And another full conscious breath in and letting it out.
And when you feel complete,
Gently opening your eyes as you finish this practice.
Namaste.
