Hello,
My name is George Peterson and welcome to day one of my 22 day guided meditation series,
Navigating Recovery and Overcoming Adversity.
As an individual who is in long term recovery from heroin,
I am so honored that you are joining me as we explore together how the power of meditation can help us to let go of our negative patterns and overcome our addictive behaviors.
Today during day one,
We will begin by exploring the customary role of meditation and why that can help aid us in overcoming our addictions.
All addiction begins with the experience of pleasure.
Addiction can actually be defined as the fact or condition of being addicted to a particular substance,
Thing,
Or activity.
Almost everyone suffers from being involved in some kind of addictive behavior or negative pattern in their own unique way.
You don't have to be a drug addict or alcoholic to have an addiction.
Maybe you're addicted to your phone,
Patterns of self doubt,
Gambling,
Sex,
Or even fear.
It does not matter how these negative patterns play a role in our life.
Like number one New York Times bestselling author Gabrielle Bernstein says,
What matters is that you learn there is a way out of the cycle.
With that said,
What we're going to do now is look at how meditation can help us break free from our addictions.
Our journey to free ourselves from our negative habits and addictive behaviors is a journey into healing.
And the silence meditation provides will heal and enrich our body and mind.
If we regularly practice meditation,
Meditation can actually provide physical benefits to our body and can even aid in improving our state of mind by reducing the mental turbulence related to fear and stress.
These benefits alone reinforce the value of meditation as a tool to let go of our addictive behaviors and negative patterns.
In addition though to adding value to our mind and body,
Meditation's customary role is as an instrument for spiritual growth.
And it is here that we find meditation's greatest value in freeing us from our addiction and providing us with a habit for profound healing and change.
Now let's prepare for our meditation.
Throughout the next 22 days,
Starting today,
We will be silently repeating a mantra as we meditate.
A mantra is an instrument of the mind,
A powerful sound or vibration that we will be silently repeating to ourselves during our meditation.
It is important to remember that the key to meditation is to be effortless.
You will simply silently repeat the mantra and notice when your attention has drifted away from the mantra to a thought,
Noise in the environment,
Or a sensation in your body,
And then return your attention to silently repeating the mantra.
Now make yourself comfortable and close your eyes.
Begin to become aware of the breath,
Not focusing or concentrating.
Just simply watch the breath as it effortlessly flows in and out.
Now easily and effortlessly begin to repeat today's mantra,
So hum,
So hum,
So hum.
Continue to repeat this mantra,
So hum,
And whenever you notice yourself distracted by thoughts,
Noises,
Or physical sensations,
Simply return your attention to silently repeating the mantra,
So hum,
So hum,
So hum.
Please continue with your meditation.
I will watch the time,
And when it is time to end our meditation,
You will hear me ring a soft chime.
When you hear the chime,
Stop repeating the mantra and continue sitting quietly with your eyes closed.
Enjoy your meditation.
It is time to release silently repeating the mantra and continue sitting quietly with your eyes closed.
Now,
Begin to bring some slight movement into your body,
Wiggling your fingers and toes.
Whenever it feels comfortable,
Slowly open your eyes.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your day,
And I look forward to meditating with you again tomorrow for day two of navigating recovery and overcoming adversity.
Namaste.
