Begin by finding a calm place where you can sit or lay and not be disturbed.
Close your eyes softly and allow your body to find a comfortable position.
Feel the contact between your body and the floor,
The chair or the surface you are resting on.
Notice how gravity holds you effortlessly.
Take a deep breath,
Filling your lungs with air and as you exhale,
Release any accumulated tension.
Now,
Direct your attention to your feet,
Sensing their connection to the earth.
Relax your toes,
The arches of your feet,
The heels.
Let that sensation of deep relaxation travel up your legs,
Releasing your knees and thighs.
Relax your hips,
Letting go of any invisible weight you've been carrying there.
Allow your abdomen and chest to expand freely with each breath and release all tension.
Let your shoulders fall,
Feeling them release.
Relax your arms,
Hands and each finger.
Lastly,
Soften your face.
Relax your jaw,
Your forehead,
Your scalp.
Your entire body now rests in a state of calm.
Return to your natural breath,
Observing it without trying to control it.
Notice how each inhalation anchors you to the present moment and each exhalation frees you from what you no longer need.
Today,
Let's reflect together on the concept of Namaste.
This word,
Often associated with yoga,
Might seem like a simple greeting,
Yet its meaning holds profound depth.
The light in me honors and recognizes the light in you.
Take a moment to think about that phrase,
About that significance and about that light.
It's not just a word.
It's not empty.
That light represents the purest part of our being,
Our goodness,
Our capacity for love and forgiveness.
The thread that binds us as humans beyond all that may now separate us.
In a world increasingly polarized,
A world of us and them,
Of right and wrong,
Of good and bad,
Of black and white.
A world where violence abounds and love,
Empathy,
Tolerance and compassion seem scarce.
Pausing to honor and recognize this shared light feels more vital than ever.
Imagine a warm,
Radiant light glowing in the center of your chest,
Just below your sternum.
This light,
Like a small,
Steady flame,
Has been with you since the moment you were born.
No matter what has happened,
What is happening or what will happen in your life,
That flame will remain lit until your very last breath on this earth.
Connect with that light.
Feel it.
Imagine it.
See it.
Now,
Think of someone close to you.
Someone you love deeply.
Visualize their face.
See them standing before you.
Can you see their light?
Take a moment to recognize the shared humanity between you.
And let the warmth of this connection fill you with gratitude.
Look into their eyes and say Namaste.
The light in me honors and recognizes the light in you.
But Namaste doesn't stop there.
It also extends to those who challenge us,
Those who have caused us pain or conflict.
And those for whom love does not come easily.
Think of someone with whom you've had a disagreement recently.
Or perhaps a group of people.
Maybe you don't even know them and they don't know you.
Perhaps they are your neighbors or perhaps they live across the world.
Maybe you share a culture,
Language,
Or life experiences.
Or maybe you've walked entirely separate and distant paths.
It might feel difficult at first.
But try to see beyond their actions,
Beyond their words,
Beyond their ego.
Sometimes,
It helps to imagine what that person was like as a child,
As a baby.
And their pure innocence.
Can you see their light?
Perhaps it seems dimmed by fear,
Pain,
Or the circumstances of your relationship.
But it's there.
They,
Too,
Carry a warm,
Steady flame within them.
Stand before them.
Face to face.
Look into their eyes.
And say Namaste.
The light in me honors and recognizes the light in you.
Take a deep breath.
Feel how,
In recognizing their light and their humanity,
A space opens within you for forgiveness,
Compassion,
And empathy.
It's not about justifying their actions or rewriting history.
But about releasing the weight of resentment,
Indifference,
And bitterness.
It's about seeing the other person for who they truly are.
A human being.
And setting yourself free.
I hope this reflection stays with you beyond this moment of meditation.
The next time someone frustrates you or hurts you.
The next time you read the news or encounter people with ideologies,
Worldviews,
Or life stories different from your own.
Remember.
Remember that behind it all,
There is a light just like yours,
Waiting to be seen and recognized.
Start bringing your attention back to your body.
Feel the ground beneath your feet.
Feel the air flowing in and out of your lungs.
Gently move your fingers and your toes.
And when you're ready,
Open your eyes and continue with your day,
Carrying with you this connection to your own light and to the light of those around you.
Namaste.
