Sautra Purification with the Elements by Daniel Giovinelli In today's meditation,
We'll explore common elements and how they relate to our bodies.
We use these elements and their connections to purify ourselves from within.
Take a few deeper,
Longer breaths as you find a comfortable posture,
Either seated or lying down on your back.
The first element we use is Earth.
Tune your attention into the body and all the places it is supported by this element.
Soften the body at each connection,
Allowing it to melt into the Earth.
Relax the feet,
The ankles.
Relax your toes,
Soles of your feet,
Your heels,
Your ankles.
Allow the backs of your legs to become softer.
Bring your attention to the low back.
Notice any discomfort,
Adjusting it if necessary.
The Earth purifies water in nature,
So allow any tension present in your body to drain into the Earth.
Recognizing the most common element in our bodies is water,
We use it next to remove impurities from within.
Bring your attention above the navel.
Begin to imagine a whirlpool starting to form within the body.
Allow the energy of the whirlpool to expand to all edges of the body.
This whirlpool is picking up any impurities,
Sediments of tension,
And pain found along the way.
Now let it carry out all that it has picked up to the edges of the body,
Eventually spilling over to the floor where the Earth will absorb and cleanse.
Feel the body be lighter and softer.
Allow the body to settle once again.
The next element to be used is fire.
Fire is the oldest cleansing element in the universe.
It has the power to transform the tiniest impurities into something beautiful.
Our fire is present at the solar plexus.
So bring your attention to its center.
Imagine a candle with a calm flame present here inside the center of your torso.
With concentration,
We'll allow this fire to grow within ourselves,
Heating the body,
And ridding it of all the microorganisms that can cause us harm.
Now bring the flame back to center.
The candle is now calm and flickering once again.
Bring your attention back to your breath.
Feel your chest expanding with your inhale and let go of a long exhale.
Our element now is air.
This will be our final element for today.
Our bodies are constantly cleansing with air.
So we use the practice of Nadi Shenanda,
Our alternate nostril breathing,
To empower this element to work more deeply.
If for whatever reason you feel you should not practice this pranayama at this time,
Simply tune into your breath,
Allowing it to be long and relaxed.
To start Nadi Shenanda Pranayama,
We'll first make the Miriji Mudra.
Spread the fingers of the right hand.
Bring index and middle finger to the palm.
Bring pinky and ring finger together.
Soften the thumb.
Now bring right thumb to right nostril.
Inhale through left nostril.
Then close it,
And with your ring and little fingers,
Open,
Exhale through the right nostril.
Keep the right nostril open.
Inhale then close it with thumb.
Open and exhale slowly through the left.
We'll repeat it three to five times.
Inhale through the left.
Close it.
Open the right nostril.
Exhale.
Inhale through the right nostril.
Close it.
Exhale through the left.
Inhale through the left.
Close it.
Exhale through the right.
Inhale through the right.
Close it.
Exhale through the left.
Inhale through the left.
Close it.
Exhale through the right.
Inhale through the right.
Close it.
Exhale through the left.
Last one.
Inhale through the left.
Close it.
Exhale through the right.
Inhale through the right.
Close it.
Exhale through the left.
Release the mudra.
Inhale through both nostrils.
Like over long exhale.
Allow the breath to return to normal.
Feel the peace coming from within you.
Watch it expand into the world.
Take a few more long deep breaths.
This concludes our element purification meditation.
You may stay here for as long as you like observing the peace found within.
Peace,
Blessings,
Namaste.
