In this meditation we'll be focusing our attention and senses on welcoming the presence of our well and wise ancestors.
We'll be lighting Shabbos candles,
Shabbat candles,
To bring in a sense of warmth and deep ritualized rest.
If you're unfamiliar with lighting candles on a weekly basis to honor a full day of rest,
Maybe you have your own traditions working with meditative light at the end of a long day,
To honor a loved one,
Or just as a form of self-care.
Today we'll be invoking the presence of our ancestors so we can feel their support and care as we move through our day and through our lives so that we can ritualize rest.
So let's begin.
Take a moment to breathe in and slowly breathe out.
This time is for you.
Another deep breath in and out.
Let your mind connect with your heart and feel or imagine the presence of a warm glowing light around you.
Breathe in again and out.
If any specific loved ones come to mind that you want to connect with,
Say their names to yourself silently now.
If no one comes to mind or in addition,
Go back to the presence of this warm glowing light around you.
Flickering energy,
Flickering warmth.
You have loved ones who support you.
People you may know or may never have met.
Make the intention to connect with them beyond our understanding of space and time.
Let's take a moment to call in our well and wise ancestors now,
Welcoming them into this space,
This practice,
Getting a glimmer,
A glimpse into their mighty wellspring of love for you.
Through this ritual,
Through honoring a day of rest,
A time for rest,
Our connection with our well and wise ancestors is expanding.
Feel or imagine their support now.
We thank you ancestors for your presence and your comfort as we move through life,
As we honor our capacity for deep rest.
Focusing on your breath,
Sense or imagine two candlesticks with the warm flame of two candles flickering in your mind's eye.
With the ancestors present,
Let's welcome the Shakhina,
The divine feminine presence for even more nourishing and deep rest.
Either with your hands on or in your mind's eye,
Cover your hands over your eyes and say with me,
In your mind or out loud,
Thank you well and wise ancestors.
Shakhina,
Shakhina,
Shakhina.
With the two candlelights flickering in your heart and in your mind,
With our ancestors and our spiritual team shining in our hearts and in our minds,
Let's say a prayer to bring in this time of rest.
Listen to the inner knocking of your heart that knows it's safe to relax in this Shabbos light.
Baruch atah adonai,
Eloheinu melech haolam,
Asher kedeshanu,
B'mitzvotah v'tzivanu,
L'chad likner shel Shabbat.
Blessed are you majestic spirit of the universe who helps me commit to living a kind life,
Who helps me light these candles to fully welcome a period of sacred rest.
Thank you to our ancestors for being with us,
For helping us grow in the direction of our hearts deepest desires,
And for reminding us of the importance of a day of rest,
A period of rest.
We're honored to be here with you.
Shabbat Shalom.
