A Medicine Wheel Meditation This originates from the Native Americans and we'll be using directions.
If you like,
Face in each direction when I prompt you.
Or you can just bring your attention in that particular direction if you know where it is.
Or you could just let this be and focus on the words of the meditation.
There are many versions and applications of the Medicine Wheel and I just put together the version that really resonates with me.
We'll focus on the theme of the direction,
The element,
The totem and the human element.
And for every direction I will ask a question.
Notice any bodily sensations,
Emotional responses or responses from your mind.
And when answering the question,
Do this in your head and then let it go.
Focus again on the meditation and trust that if what you thought is important,
It will come back to you eventually.
Now take a comfortably seated or lying down position.
We'll very briefly bring our attention to our breaths and bodies first.
Gently close your eyes.
Make sure you're comfortable.
Focus on your breath.
Flowing in and out.
No need to change anything.
Just see where you can feel your breath.
This may be at your nostrils where you may feel the air flowing in and out.
Or possibly it's easier to connect in the belly area that rises and falls with your breath.
If you like,
Take one prolonged breath in and out.
Then bring your attention to your feet,
Up through your legs,
To the bend in your knees,
To your upper legs where they may touch your bed,
Chair or hands.
Through the pelvic and hip area,
Into your belly where you can once again connect with your breath.
If at any point you'd like to let out a sigh,
Go ahead.
Bring your attention to your chest area and then around the back,
The large muscles in your back and notice for a moment how they are feeling and accept whatever you feel.
Moving up to the shoulders,
Down through both our arms,
Lower arms,
To our hands.
Notice if your hands are warm or cold.
Guide your attention back through the arms,
To your neck and throat,
Your face.
Check your jaw if there's any tension you may be holding there.
Those small muscles around your eyes,
Up through your forehead and release through the crown of the head.
As we bring our attention to the east where the sun rises,
The east represents spring and birth,
New beginnings.
The element that belongs with the east is fire that brings us warmth.
The totem is the eagle soaring high above the earth,
Taking in the bigger picture.
The yellow of the east represents our physical development.
See what you feel or notice in yourself when I talk about the east and what it represents.
And the question for the east is what area in your life could benefit from a new beginning.
And then you bring your attention to the south,
The deep red of the setting sun.
The south represents summer and adolescence.
It is a time of abundance,
Growth and learning.
The element of the south is earth,
Earth that provide us with all the essentials of life,
Food and medicine.
The totem is a buffalo which represents enduring and courage.
And in the summer of our lives,
In the adolescence,
The big development happens in the mental state.
My question for the south is in which area in your life do you need persistence,
Endurance and courage?
If no immediate answer comes to mind,
Don't worry about it.
It may come later,
It may not come at all.
Maybe this is not relevant to you at this moment.
So bring our attention to the west and the color of the west is black.
It represents autumn and adulthood.
It is the time of harvest,
Introspection and insight.
The element associated with the west is the moon,
A guide in the dark,
A guide for timing of events.
The totem is a wolf or coyote who is playful and adaptable.
And the west,
Like adulthood,
Focuses on our emotional development.
So my question for the west is which area in your life needs some introspection?
What would you like to have more insight into?
And hear your own answer and then move on.
Join me in the north,
That is white,
As the hair of the elders.
It represents winter and old age.
Here we find the stars that are a mirror and hold the deceased.
The north is the symbol of the completion of a life cycle.
It is associated with air,
Our breath,
And the totem is the bear who is strong and confident.
And in old age our focus is on spiritual development,
On wisdom and impairing knowledge.
My question for the north is what in your life at this particular moment needs to be completed?
It may then need a new beginning or maybe you completed a full life cycle of this particular situation,
Event or with a person.
Gently breathe in and out.
We return to our center.
From the center for a moment just reflect on the meditation,
The four direction we visited,
The feelings or lack of feelings and thoughts that each direction elicited in you.
And then for the moment let it all go.
We are returning to the center of the wind directions but also to the center of ourselves where we try to feel balance and harmony.
And while you are resting in your center I will repeat my questions one more time and try not to think about the questions,
Just see if anything naturally appears and if nothing is fine as well.
We started in the east where I asked you what area in your life needs a new beginning.
We move to the south where the question is in which area of your life do you need persistence,
Endurance and courage.
In the west which area needs introspection,
What would you like insight into?
And finally in the north what needs to be completed?
Now let the questions and their answers go.
Within and out.
Notice how you are sitting.
Notice how you are feeling.
Find what is for you today.
Lastly take another three breaths in and out.
If you like remain seated or lying down as you are with your eyes closed.
If you are ready to start or continue your day gently open your eyes.
Namaste.
