Begin Again: A Gentle Morning Practice

Welcome.

I'm Itzel and I'm grateful you're here.

I'm grateful you're here to start the day by coming home to yourself,

To the breath,

To the simple gift of being here,

Alive,

In this time,

In this place,

In this moment.

And so wherever you are,

Allow the body to find a position that feels steady and supported by the earth beneath you,

Whether that's sitting,

Standing,

Or lying down.

You may take a moment to gently roll the shoulders back,

Allow them to relax,

Soften the jaw,

Relax the muscles around the eyes,

And allow the gaze to lower and gently soften,

Or if it's comfortable,

Allow the eyes to close.

And notice the breath.

No need to change it or alter it in any way.

Just feel the natural rhythm of the inhale and exhale.

The body being breathed by life itself.

If you notice thoughts begin to appear in the mind,

Let them drift by like morning clouds moving through a vast sky.

And then gently return to this moment,

To this breath,

Simply being here.

And now bring the awareness to the heart,

That seat of compassion and loving awareness.

Imagine the breath flowing in and out through the heart.

As the breath moves,

Feel a wave of calm expanding through the chest,

The shoulders,

The arms and hands.

With each breath,

Let that calm ripple outward,

Down through the legs to the feet,

Up through the shoulders and neck,

Filling the head,

Filling the whole being.

And as calm settles in throughout the body,

Take a moment to set an intention for today.

This may be an intention that's already alive in you,

Or something that emerges now.

And if it's helpful,

I offer this one for you today.

Today I embody calm and compassion.

Silently repeat this intention to yourself in words or experience it a sensation.

And let your intention rest within the body,

Not as something to achieve,

But as a gentle presence to return to.

If attention drifts,

Breathe again and come back to your intention as a quiet rhythm or as a felt sense within.

And as you're ready,

Return the awareness back to the breath.

Take in one full deep breath and gently release.

And may your intention accompany you through the day.

May it be woven into each breath,

Each conversation,

Each act you take today.

And together,

Let's close out this practice by sending out a silent wish that the entire universe and all beings everywhere know peace,

Peace,

And only peace.

And when ready,

Gently lift the gaze or open the eyes.

And I hope you return again tomorrow to begin the day in this way again.

Thank you.