As we begin,
Let's take a few deep breaths and settle into the present moment.
We might focus our attention gently on our lower abdomen,
Our field of elixir.
This meditation is based on the idea of what are called peak experiences.
These are experiences in life when we feel at our best,
When we feel a spontaneous joy and happiness,
And feel at peace within ourselves and in harmony with the world around us.
The idea of peak experiences is very similar to flow,
Both in the Taoist sense of being in harmony with the flow of the Tao,
As well as in the psychological sense of the flow state,
Or being in the zone.
Like flow,
Peak experiences sometimes come when we are in extreme situations where we are called to push ourselves to our perceived limits,
When we are called to stretch and grow beyond our current edges.
You might have had a literal peak experience when summiting a mountain peak and enjoying the reward of a panoramic view that seemed to stretch to infinity.
But we don't always have to go to extremes to have peak experiences.
Often peak experiences happen when we least expect them,
During simple,
Quiet moments in nature or among loved ones.
We can also use the memory of past peak experiences as a way to bring joy and happiness,
Or a feeling of connection and belonging into our present awareness.
So let's try this.
Think back and try to recall some of the happiest moments of your life.
These might be moments when you felt joy,
Ecstasy,
Or rapture.
They might be moments when you had an epiphany or a eureka moment.
They might have come in the midst of some creative endeavor,
Like writing or painting,
Or after meeting a major goal or milestone in your life.
Or they may have occurred during momentous events like the birth of a child or at your wedding.
These are times when we felt a natural high.
We might think of them as the highlight reel of our memories.
Recall what you felt during these moments.
Did you feel peaceful?
Content?
Connected?
Notice how simply recalling these past feelings of joy,
Happiness,
Or connection allows us to experience those very same feelings in the present moment.
I wonder,
Is there a pleasant sensation in your body connected to this memory?
Perhaps a smile has formed on your face,
Or you've noticed a warm fuzzy feeling in your heart or belly.
You might try placing a hand on your heart or your belly,
Or wherever you find this pleasant sensation,
To help you focus on it and anchor it into your body in the present moment.
Since we carry our memories with us,
This is a practice that is available to us at any time and in any place.
As we enter into silence,
Sit with this feeling for as long as you'd like,
Or if it feels right,
Perhaps return to your breath as it flows gently in and out,
And a relaxed focus on the lower abdomen,
The field of elixir.
As we enter into silence,
Sit with this feeling for as long as you'd like,
Or if it feels right,
Perhaps return to your breath as it flows gently in and out,
And a relaxed focus on the lower abdomen,
The field of elixir.
As we enter into silence,
Sit with this feeling for as long as you'd like,
Or if it feels right,
Perhaps return to your breath as it flows gently in and out,
And a relaxed focus on the lower abdomen,
The field of elixir.
As we enter into silence,
Sit with this feeling for as long as you'd like,
Or if it feels right,
Perhaps return to your breath as it flows gently in and out,
And a relaxed focus on the lower abdomen,
The field of elixir.
As we enter into silence,
Sit with this feeling for as long as you'd like,
Or if it feels right,
Perhaps return to your breath as it flows gently in and out,
And a relaxed focus on the lower abdomen,
The field of elixir.
As we enter into silence,
Sit with this feeling for as long as you'd like,
Or if it feels right,
Perhaps return to your breath as it flows gently in and out,
And a relaxed focus on the lower abdomen,
The field of elixir.
As we enter into silence,
Sit with this feeling for as long as you'd like,
Or if it feels right,
Perhaps return to your breath as it flows gently in and out,
And a relaxed focus on the lower abdomen,
The field of elixir.
As we enter into silence,
Sit with this feeling for as long as you'd like,
Or if it feels right,
Perhaps return to your breath as it flows gently in and out,
And a relaxed focus on the lower abdomen,
The field of elixir.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
