Take a moment to settle in,
Relaxing your arms,
Legs,
Shoulders,
Neck,
And heart.
Really notice the pressure of where you connect with the ground beneath you.
Feel the presence that meets you here in this moment.
How are you?
Take a deep breath in and release.
Winter is now upon us and life has shifted.
It is quite commonplace to dread this season.
The world slows down,
Nature tucks up,
And temperatures fall.
But I invite you to consider adopting a new,
Crisp outlook.
Instead of resisting this cold season,
Let go and flow with it.
We are a part of the natural world.
We too are cyclical animals that need everything winter has to offer.
Wintertime is a season for rest,
Reflection,
And deep inner work.
This time is precious.
It is a gift.
So what kind of feelings and emotions does winter bring up for you?
Have you taken the time to sit with these feelings?
Let's do that now.
Take note of what gets evoked when I speak the following words.
Winter,
Snow,
Cold,
Darkness,
Slow,
Stillness,
Quiet.
Whatever feelings that are present now are okay.
They are all welcome.
See yourself sitting at a large,
Round table.
Invite all of the feelings that came up for you to have a seat at the table.
And with these feelings around you,
Take a moment to breathe deeply and relax.
Witness everyone,
Every feeling around the table,
Just noticing.
Seeing them for what they are,
Not good,
Not bad,
Just present.
And when you are ready,
Thank them for caring about you.
Thank them for protecting you.
And lastly,
Communicate that you are ready to take the lead and learn the lessons that those feelings have to offer.
Does the cold trigger anger because you're needing to slow down and take better care of yourself?
Does winter trigger sadness because there's less to do and it's uncomfortable to be with your thoughts?
Does the darkness trigger a sense of boredom that you try to numb with meaningless entertainment instead of taking responsibility for the precious time you have on this earth?
Whatever it is for you,
Recognize it now.
Imagine yourself using this season like the animals in nature,
Resting,
Connecting,
Learning,
Reflecting,
Improving,
And just being.
And when triggers come,
Know that they are just little reminders to come back to yourself,
To pay attention to the needs that you have,
And then make sure that they are met.
Let's take a few more deep breaths together before we go.
And as you breathe out,
Feel yourself releasing winter resistance with each breath.
Take a breath in through the nose and out through the mouth.
Another in and out.
And one last breath in and release.
Thank you for meditating with me today.
I'm wishing you a contented winter.
Namaste.
