When we touch,
Our hearts connect and we know that we are held in love.
Touching with mindfulness and concentration can bring reconciliation,
Healing,
Understanding,
And much happiness.
The practice of mindful touch has helped so many to reconcile with each other.
But we don't have to seek far for a loving caress or a gentle embrace.
Your own touch,
Your own embrace can allow you to reconcile your body,
Mind,
And spirit.
To begin,
First bow and recognize the presence of yourself.
Take time to enjoy three deep conscious breaths to bring yourself fully present.
Inhale fully and exhale completely.
Inhale fully,
Exhale completely.
Inhale fully and exhale completely.
With your next inhale,
Slowly allow your palms to turn face up,
Opening to the sky to receive,
Letting your arms spread open,
Allowing your chest to broaden,
Your collarbones to float,
And your heart to expand as you let the corners of your lips gently turn upwards,
Open to receiving.
Feel the energy from within you and all around you like a sheath encapsulating you.
Allow three deep conscious breaths here,
Receiving all that is from outside and within you.
As you exhale,
Gently begin to gather all that you've received,
Wrapping your arms gently and lovingly around yourself as you embrace your body.
Allow three deep conscious breaths here.
With the first breath,
Embracing your body,
Being aware your body is present in this very moment,
Sending gratitude to your body for all it can do and all it has done for you.
With your second breath,
Embracing your mind,
Being aware your mind is present in this very moment,
Sending gratitude to your mind for all it can do and all it has done for you.
With your third breath,
Embracing your spirit,
Being aware your spirit is present in this very moment,
Sending gratitude to your spirit,
Your body,
Your mind,
Your spirit.
Embracing all of you,
You are precious.
Embracing all of you,
You are beautiful.
Embracing all of you,
You are loving.
Embracing all of you,
You are love.
Embracing all of you,
You let it simmer.
Let it seep in.
Let the truth of your embrace resonate throughout your mind,
Your body,
Your spirit.
Stay for as long as you wish in this embrace.
If and when you begin to feel ready to let this embrace gradually release,
Gently and slowly let your loving touch,
Your gentle caress release and bring your palms together in a gesture of gladness and gratitude,
Letting them meet in prayer in front of your heart.
And as you exhale,
Bow once again and acknowledging the precious presence of yourself.
We close this practice the same way we began,
With three deep conscious breaths to allow yourself to be fully present.
Inhaling fully,
Exhaling completely.
Inhaling fully,
Exhaling completely.
Inhaling fully,
Exhaling completely.
Gently and slowly release your palms and when you feel ready,
Bring this energy and this truth of your embrace with you into the rest of your day.
