Welcome.
This activity is a little bit different than some of the other meditations that I've led,
Because it can be approached in a couple of different ways.
You can choose to listen to this as a traditional meditation,
And simply notice what images or thoughts come up as you meditate,
And perhaps afterward write down any notes that you want to remember from it.
You can also use this as an automatic writing or drawing activity.
In that case,
You're sitting with a pen or pencil,
And if it's automatic writing,
When I ask questions,
Write down whatever comes to your mind,
And don't try to form complete sentences unless that's what comes up.
You might find that you're writing disjointed images and words,
And that's okay.
Whatever comes up,
Just jot it down.
You can analyze it later to see if it has meaning for you.
And alternatively,
If writing down an image that you see and just noting what it is,
Is not helpful,
You can choose to draw it.
And you don't have to be an artist,
Just sketching to get a visual representation of what you're seeing.
What we're focusing on in this activity is the big picture,
The big vision for ourselves.
Oftentimes,
We resign ourselves to a mediocre life and experience for many different reasons.
It could be self-worth.
We could be asking ourselves,
Who do I think I am to think that I can accomplish these big things?
It could be concern that others will laugh at us and think we're conceited or that we're silly.
And maybe we're concerned that if we are that successful,
It's going to make others feel uncomfortable.
So we diminish ourselves so that we don't come across as prideful.
Or maybe it's fear.
We're fearful that if we fail,
We're going to disappoint ourselves or others.
Or even scarier that we succeed and what will that success mean for our life?
How will it change our responsibilities and how we approach life going forward?
Now some people think that big picture is grandiose,
It's magical thinking.
But it's only magical thinking if you put it out there,
But you don't actually take action.
A simple example is believing you're going to win the lottery,
But you don't actually play.
And that's a silly example.
But it's dreaming big without taking the action steps.
So whatever vision comes up today,
Keep it in the back of your mind and your being that these are things that you can bring to action and take steps toward.
Because I promise you,
Even if you don't hit the top of the mountain,
Exactly where you want to be,
You're still going to be much further along than if you come at things with mediocre expectations.
So at this time I'd like you to get comfortable.
If you're meditating,
Simply close your eyes.
If you have a pen and paper,
You can gaze at the blank page.
Just soften your gaze.
Take a couple of breaths in and out through your nose,
Allowing yourself to tune inward,
Giving yourself permission to put aside anything of the outside world that is not helpful for this experience.
And as you tune inward,
Simply noticing your inhalation and your exhalation as you breathe in and out,
Give yourself a moment to notice the characteristics of your breath.
For example,
You might notice the cooling sensation on your nose as you inhale,
And a warming sensation as you exhale.
You might notice your ribcage expanding and contracting as you breathe,
Or feeling your lungs fill up as you inhale.
Do a physical check-in,
Scanning your body.
If you notice any discomfort,
Make a couple of subtle adjustments to your posture to feel more comfortable.
And do an emotional check-in,
Simply noticing how you are feeling in this moment,
Acknowledging it,
And then drawing your awareness back to your breath.
Inhale and exhale.
Throughout this activity,
Your breath is your anchor,
So if at any time things become uncomfortable,
You can return to your breath.
Now I'd like you to imagine that you're sitting in the world's most comfortable chair.
You can be reclining,
You could be cross-legged,
Whatever is comfortable for you.
You might be wrapped in a cozy blanket.
You are at peace.
You are safe.
Your mind is clear.
And as you look around,
You notice that you are in a small but cozy room.
And you can decorate this room in any way that makes sense for you.
For example,
It could be a cozy log cabin with a fireplace.
It could be a grand hotel with ornate decorations and furniture.
It could be a beach house with a view to the ocean.
I'm going to be quiet for a moment while you create that space around you.
And if you have any trouble with this visualization,
In creating those details,
Try imagining a soft color around you.
It could even be a shape.
The idea is you're creating your safe space that's just for you.
And gently returning to your breath,
Simply inhaling and exhaling,
Noticing your surroundings.
You happen to glance up and see a clock on the wall.
And you realize that it's time to go to a very special event.
And in this very special event,
You are going to be acknowledged for doing something really big.
This is your big vision.
It's okay if you don't know what it is quite yet.
And wherever you are,
Notice that there's a door.
So in your own time,
You slowly get up,
Perhaps stretch a little,
And in your mind,
Walk over to the door and open it.
And as you step through it,
You notice a path in front of you.
This path can look any way that you like.
It could be a dirt path.
It could be paved.
Notice the path.
And notice the scenery around you.
Take in the colors,
The smells,
The sounds.
It only has to make sense for you.
You are safe.
You are happy.
And you are at peace.
And you begin to walk down this path,
Feeling this joy in your heart.
And it's a winding path.
And you follow it.
And you are enjoying the journey.
After a little while,
You come to a staircase.
And the path to the staircase leads down.
So while you're still breathing,
In and out through your nose,
Very relaxed,
Begin to walk down the steps.
And as you do,
You notice that you're feeling calmer and more at peace.
And at the bottom of the path,
You notice a fork leading to the left or right.
And you're hearing laughter in one of those directions.
And you know that that laughter is all the people who are gathered to acknowledge you.
So go ahead and follow the sounds of those voices.
And turn in whichever direction leads to those people.
And as you're walking,
You notice that the laughter gets a little louder.
You might hear some music.
It could be your favorite music.
And after a little bit of time,
You come to yet another door.
And there is an attendant there who opens it for you and invites you inside.
And once you step through it,
You notice all the people that you love and care about,
Living or dead,
Are there to acknowledge you.
And your heart is filled with joy.
You might notice strangers who are smiling at you.
Take a moment to notice your surroundings.
Notice whether you are still inside a room or whether you're outside.
And take a moment to look at your environment,
Visualizing it in as much detail as you can.
And after greeting a few people that you know,
You notice that people are stepping aside and there's a distinct path leading up to a stage.
So go ahead and walk down that path.
Take the steps up to the stage.
And notice a podium in front of you.
Go ahead and stand in front of it.
Everyone is seated and quiet.
And an announcer comes out.
And they begin to talk about your life's work,
What you're doing and what you have accomplished.
What are they saying about you?
It could be real or it could be imagined,
Depending on where you are in your life's journey.
I am going to be quiet.
This is the first cue for writing,
Drawing,
Or meditating.
What is that presenter saying about you?
Take a few deep breaths in and out through your nose.
And as you set the award down on the podium,
The announcer hands you the microphone.
You are completely at ease.
These are your friends and loved ones and people you care about.
And even people you don't know there to celebrate you.
The announcer has presented you.
You've received your award.
What will you say to the audience about this accomplishment,
About this award?
Use a round of applause.
And it's time to go.
So you step down the steps and walk down the pathway back through the doors.
You take that fork in the road all the way back.
You come to the steps.
You gently begin to climb to the top.
You follow the same pathway all the way back to your room,
To your safe space.
You set the award aside.
You close the door and climb back into that chair.
Once again,
Reflect on the award for that day.
The question for you is,
Number one,
What is my big vision?
Or what is my big purpose in life?
Question two,
What are the steps to get there?
Try not to think about it.
Notice what naturally comes to mind.
What do I need to get there?
To that big vision or to that big purpose?
And the last question is,
What is the very first step that I can take in this moment that will begin the process of me living that big vision and that big purpose?
And finishing up,
If you're drawing,
Or if you're writing,
Or if you're simply meditating,
Bringing your awareness back to your breath,
Bringing yourself back into the present moment and into the room.
You might gently rock your head from side to side or wiggle your fingers and toes to come back to the present moment.
And when you're ready,
Slowly open your eyes.
It's okay if you don't have all the answers from this meditation.
It is okay if what you've written or you've drawn doesn't quite make sense yet.
Revisit this meditation.
Revisit what you have written or drawn or thought about.
And just notice how you feel and how the process of finding your vision changes over the next few weeks.
Thank you for joining me.
