Meditation is meant to increase our awareness of something.
So we know a little more about ourselves or a specific topic than we did before.
Sometimes that topic might be our breath.
Our body.
Or something else.
Often,
Us Westerners expect meditation to only be about things that relax us,
Calm us,
Or put us into a peaceful state.
But that's not an accurate depiction of what life is.
Life can be pain.
Suffering,
Fear.
Or anxiety.
Though it is difficult,
It is important to turn our mind towards topics that challenge us,
Or make us uncomfortable,
Or invite fear.
Take a breath.
Let's get into position.
You can be seated or lying down.
You can have your hands in your lap palms resting on your knees.
Or your palms turn upwards,
Facing the sky.
Relax the brow.
Release the jaw.
Start to soften your breath.
Close your eyes.
And start to settle in Life is fragile.
Much more fragile than we often admit or would like to believe.
Take a breath.
Sometimes death arrives slowly.
Creeping in.
And sometimes death arrives suddenly.
Crashing in.
An illness,
An accident.
A natural disaster.
A single unexpected moment.
It wasn't supposed to be like this.
Notice what's happening in your body what's happening in your breath There might be a tightness.
Attention.
A brace for impact.
That's all natural.
We all want safety.
Predictability.
Control.
Now imagine yourself at the beach.
Sand beneath you.
You bend down to pick it up and hold some in your hand.
The tighter you squeeze,
The more sand slips through your fingers Now imagine opening your hand.
Softening.
Allowing life to move naturally.
This does not mean giving up.
It means releasing the illusion that we can control everything.
It means releasing the illusion that we have the power to decide when our loved ones leave us.
There is wisdom in surrender.
There is peace in acceptance.
Take a breath.
What if your task is not to control life?
But to meet life fully.
To love deeply.
To be present and engaged in the moment.
To appreciate what is here while it is here.
You Imagine yourself surrounded by soft,
Golden light.
Supported.
Held.
Connected to all living beings.
None of us can escape uncertainty.
And none of us are alone in that experience.
Perhaps what it means to be alive is to embrace that uncertainty.
To those who are ill,
Mentally or physically,
May healing,
Comfort,
And peace find them.
May all beings feel supported and connected to each other.
When you're ready.
Start to wiggle your fingers,
Wiggle your toes Maybe do some shoulder circles Give yourself a nice stretch if that would feel good You can blink your eyes open and bring your awareness back to the room.
