Hi,
Welcome to the first guided meditation in our resonance series,
Breath.
Breathing is an important part of life,
Obviously,
But at a deeper level,
The breath is connected to the energy that flows and resonates within us all.
Learning to notice our breath and use our breathing to cultivate and regulate that energy can be beneficial to us in many ways.
It can help us to focus both in meditation and in everyday activity.
It's helpful in decreasing anxiety and stress,
And conscious breathing is an essential part of staying rooted in the moment and being fully present to what is.
As always,
You can take a moment here to pause and prepare your space for this meditation.
Remember to temporarily disable notifications on your phone so that there won't be any unexpected interruptions.
Light a candle,
Burn some incense,
And treat yourself to a few stretches to bring awareness to your body.
When you're ready,
Unpause and continue.
As you take your place on your cushion or mat or chair,
Take a moment to relax your body,
Breathing normally.
Check in with each part of your body.
Start with your toes and feet.
Notice a release of tension and a wave of calm releasing the muscles in your calves,
Moving to your thighs.
Notice how your body ever so slightly sinks down as you release.
Now move up to check in with your hips and your core.
Try to keep some stability active,
Allowing your torso to align with your spine and use a gentle strength to sit up straight.
Allow your shoulders to fall away from your ears as that tension unwinds and begins to seep out of your shoulder muscles.
Bring your chest slightly forward as you open up your rib cage.
Bring your awareness for the first time to your natural pattern of breathing.
Slow natural breaths in and out.
If you notice your chest doing a work of breathing,
Start to gently transition those breaths deeper into the belly,
Feeling it expand and empty as you become more and more present to each inhale and exhale.
On an inhale,
Let the energy of your breath transfer up into your neck.
Let this energy bring your neck into relaxed alignment above your spine.
With each inhale,
Let that energy move higher and higher.
Exhale.
Inhale again and bring the energy all the way to the crown of your head.
Imagine a string pulling you into easy alignment from the top of your head down through your body.
With each slow purposeful exhale,
Feel the built up tension draining from your muscles and tendons.
Each inhale circulating energy and each exhale releasing tension and tightness from those places in your body that collects stress and anxiety throughout the day.
Keep circulating your energy and releasing tension in and out.
Take three or four breaths.
Our intention for this meditation is breath.
Each breath brings focus in this moment.
Presence in this moment.
Peace in this moment.
As a thought distracts you,
Treat it like a passing cloud in the sky.
Don't try to stop it.
Don't hold on to it.
Simply watch as it drifts by out of your awareness and return to your breath.
In and out.
Let your breath return your awareness to the moment.
Check in very gently with the body.
Notice the beating of your heart.
The feel of gravity holding you to the earth.
Connect to that feeling of being rooted into the ground and keep using your breath to mark the time and keep you right here,
Now.
Breath is essential,
Not just for the delivery of oxygen to our physical systems but for the distribution of energy across the entirety of your being.
Breath connects you to the loving essence of the universe and reveals that loving essence within you.
Intentional breathing in meditation becomes the subtext for meditative growth and expanding awareness as we cultivate its rhythm and internalize its flow.
Breathing is the wind of the spirit that reveals our connection to everyone and everything.
Continue to meditate now with breathing awareness for the next few minutes.
Let your breath return your awareness to the moment.
In a moment,
This guided meditation will conclude.
Begin to bring some easy awareness to your fingers and toes.
Use tiny movements to bring them up to speed.
You may want to rotate your head gently and stretch your neck and shoulders side to side.
Maintain an awareness of your breathing and finally,
Take a deep breath in,
Exhaling completely.
One more deep inhale and then completely let it go,
Slowly and fully.
Bring your hands together at your heart and express your gratitude for the love that you are connected to and that is a part of your deep being.
Thank you for sharing this meditation with me.
Blessings to you as you continue on your way.
