As in any situation,
Any night,
You can choose that posture.
That allows you to access the dignity of your spine.
Feeling that uprightness.
That I belong on this earth posture.
Feel the relaxation in your neck and shoulders.
Feel the relaxation all over your face.
In between your eyebrows.
And in your forehead.
And in your jaw.
Feel the softness of your chest.
See if you can bring a smile to your face.
And now just let the body be breathed.
As an act of self-compassion.
And you just let the body.
Be breathed.
So many things you could pay attention to.
Can you pay attention to your breath?
Just noticing the gentle in-breath,
The gentle out-breath.
And as you transition to stillness.
Can you see how much gentleness and generosity you can bring to your experience as it presents itself to you?
When the mind slips from the breath.
Can you bring it back?
Breath.
Without a whole lot of drama,
Without a whole lot of self-criticism,
Just rejoining the breath.
Staying with the breath for one minute.
And now imagine that as you're sitting here,
Sitting here just as you are.
That behind you.
Your parents are standing there.
That two of your parents are right behind you.
And no matter what kind of relationship you have.
There's energy flowing from them to you.
Their support.
That deep down in their heart,
There is support.
Maybe they've passed away,
Maybe they haven't.
But imagine your two parents standing right behind you.
One to the left,
One to the right.
Sending you support.
If their lives were not possible,
Yours would not be possible.
And now behind them,
Imagine two more people,
Two grandparents behind every parent,
Standing there behind them,
Supporting them and supporting you.
Two parents,
Four grandparents.
And then the third generation.
Eight great-grandparents.
Just imagine that there's energy flowing to you from.
Two parents,
Four grandparents,
Eight great-grandparents.
Maybe you've never met them.
But they're supporting you.
They want you to live,
They want you to flourish.
Feel that they want you to be happy.
And imagine.
The fifth generation.
And the sixth generation and the seventh,
That there's 126 people standing right behind you,
Supporting you.
Seven generations,
All actively sending you support.
And among them are people whose examples you do want to take.
Among them are strong people,
Magical people,
Compassionate ones.
That there's an army of 126 people sending you support.
Wanting you to be kind to yourself.
To live your life to the fullest.
You may not know who they are,
But they exist.
And just saying thank you.
That they live their lives so you can live yours.
That each of those 126 people in some way.
Gave you the gift.
Of life and livelihood.
Just saying thank you.
I feel your support.
And now just traditionally put your hands right at your heart.
And imagine sending the breath right into this beating heart.
And right out of this beating heart.
Just opening this area up with the palm and your awareness and your breath.
My heart.
All this heart has ever wanted.
Was to be happy.
Sending the breath there.
And wishing for yourself.
May I find ease.
May I feel that I am supported.
May I be kind to myself.
And may I find ever new ways of being.
Kind to myself.
May I be happy.
Listening to the sound of the bell,
And when you can no longer hear it's sound,
Releasing your hand,
Opening your eyes.
