Hello,
And welcome to this week's Monday meditation,
Which is a guided meditation for peace of mind.
So what do we mean by peace of mind?
Well,
It means that we're not being reactive to what's happening around us,
That we can still maintain that sense of peace within.
And we're not going to be affected.
Well,
No,
Maybe that's the wrong word.
We're not going to react to what's happening around us in an unskillful way.
So,
You know,
We might feel angry,
We might feel upset,
But we're able to have enough peace within us that we're not going to act on them in an unskillful way,
That's going to cause harm to others.
So peace out there starts from peace in here.
People meditate and cultivate peace within,
The more that will be reflected in the world around us.
And we can't have world peace until everybody has peace of mind.
And it starts with us one person at a time.
And as we become more peaceful,
And less reactive,
And that has a positive effect on people that we come into contact with,
Whether that's our family,
Colleagues,
If we're dealing with people in businesses,
Or whatever,
If we're less reactive,
More peaceful,
Calmer,
Then that will make for a more pleasant interactions.
So get into a comfortable position,
And turn off any distractions.
Make sure your back is fairly straight,
Not stiff,
But upright,
Relaxed,
But alert in your posture.
And just start by grounding yourself.
So whatever has been happening up till now in your day,
You're giving this time for yourself now to create more peace in your life and for more peaceful mind.
So just notice where you're at now.
Feel the support of the ground might be through a chair.
If your feet are on the floor,
Just feel the connection there with the ground.
And take some deep breaths.
And then if you wish,
You can close your eyes.
And as the sound of the bell dies away,
Being aware of the movement of the breath in the body.
And notice how you're feeling right now.
With complete honesty,
No judgment.
Notice any thoughts arising,
Any bodily sensations,
Whatever is current for you in this moment.
We don't need to go into stories about why these thoughts are coming up,
Why you feel the way you do.
Just observe.
And if there are any stories,
Notice what those are too.
And at first,
It might be difficult not to get caught up in the feelings and emotions and thoughts.
But gradually,
You'll be able to distance yourself and detach from them.
And you can do that by just staying aware of the support of the earth and the movement of the breath.
And as you practice staying with the breath,
You can let the thoughts carry on.
And whatever thoughts arise,
Remember,
That's not you.
And you can start to notice habitual patterns.
And if there is any resistance,
Any wanting things to be different to the way they are.
Notice that too.
And always be kind to yourself.
Coming back to the breath as often as you need to.
Rounding yourself.
Feeling the support.
Noticing whenever you've got lost in thoughts,
Or reacting to what's happening around you.
Then that's a moment of awareness.
Take a pause.
Be in the gap.
Before responding,
If that's appropriate.
And remembering that meditation is practice for life.
And the more you're able to notice when you get distracted,
Be kind to yourself.
Then you'll become less reactive.
The rest of the time when you're not meditating.
Being aware of your body helps to get you out of the mind.
Having a sense of the space that your body takes up in the room.
And the space around your body.
Feeling the whole body breathing in this moment.
Gently coming back to the breath and the body as often as you need to.
And each time,
Doing it with kindness and love.
If you wish,
You can continue to sit in this way.
To ground yourself,
Create a peaceful mind before going about the rest of your day.
Thank you for joining me today.
And together we are creating a more peaceful world.
So I will see you again very soon.
In the meantime,
Take care.
Go well.
Lots of love.
Have a wonderful week.
