Surrender - Contemplative Meditation

This peaceful contemplative meditation led by Dr. Sayiba Aiko is an exquisite mindfulness practice in stillness, allowing you to connect with your breath, quiet your mind, listen to your inner wisdom, and surrender. In this contemplative meditation we begin with a quote by Lao Tzu. Then we engage in diaphragmatic breathing and are led on a guided meditation, inviting more stillness and surrendering to all that is. Soothing music is incorporated to invoke peace, relieve stress, and aid anxiety

Transcript

Hello, I am Dr. Sayiba Aiko and I will be your contemplative meditation guide for the next 15 minutes. During this time, I invite you to make yourself still, Comfortable, And relaxed. We'll begin with a quote to contemplate and then we'll go into our breath work, Our guided meditation, And I will leave you with an affirmation. So let's begin. Our quote today is from Lao Tzu, To the mind that is still, The whole universe surrenders. Taking a deep breath, Really taking those words in. I'll read it twice more. To the mind that is still, The whole universe surrenders. Taking another deep breath, Seeing how those words sit with you, Inside of you. And I'll read that once more. To the mind that is still, The whole universe surrenders. Comes to heart, Body, And mind for me. What a powerful truth. I'm grateful that meditation came to me through my yoga practice. And at a relatively young age, I found the benefits to quieting my mind to be quite amazing. I was an undergrad and literally I felt like I was walking on sunshine. Even in my challenging times, I was able to still my mind, Find comfort, And eventually experience ease. The combination of breath awareness, Mindful movement, And the practice of being fully present in the moment, Has helped me through all sorts of ebbs and flows in life. I've gained the ability to have control of my responses, And that has been transformational. All of the, What seemed to be chaos around me, The pushing and pulling, Literally ceased. And I am centered and able to know what is real and true for me. When I still my mind, I don't have to deny or run from things, Or cling and hold too tightly to things. I can simply allow what is to be as I be. Taking a deep breath, We will go into our soft belly breathing or our diaphragmatic breathing. So right where you are, I invite you to close your eyes and lower your gaze if you haven't already. And I invite you to place one hand on your heart and one hand on your lower abdomen, Your sacral chakra. And breathing deeply and slowly, Inhaling. And as you inhale, You want to invite the air into your stomach so you will feel it expand. And then as you exhale, You will feel your abdomen contract, Ensuring that the breath is going in and out of your diaphragm. Taking your time, Slowly and deeply, At your own pace. Continuing to sit with those words, Lao Cha, To the mind that is still. The whole universe surrenders. Continue breathing slowly and deeply. And begin to notice how you feel. Are there any sensations arising in your body? Where? What do those sensations feel like? Do they have a color? Do they have a texture? Notice the sensations in your body. As I say the word, Surrender, What comes to heart, Body, Mind, And soul when you hear the word surrender? Continuing to breathe deeply and slowly. Surrender. What we resist persists. What might you be resisting or refusing to surrender to? Also, Clinging repels what we desire. So what might you be holding onto too tightly? What might you be smothering? How can you relax? How can you allow? How can you surrender? Surrender to life. Surrender to what the universe is co-creating with you. Once you still your mind and surrender to what is within, Tune into the still, Small voice inside you. Your inner wisdom and divine guidance. The universe yields itself to you. Your innate power to co-create inner harmony is actualized without the need to control or force or push. Surrender and the noise and the chaos dissipates, Allowing you to relax into your reality without resisting or clinging to anyone or anything. Allow equanimity to be your guide. Whether you perceive a thing as good or bad, It is merely existing in your life at a certain point in time to be a reflection. Continuing to breathe deeply. What do you see? Eyes closed, Breathing deeply, Connecting with the sensations in your body. What do you see? Establish peace. All that is and all that you perceive is not. I invite you to take the deepest breath you have taken all day, Releasing it through your mouth. I invite you to do that one more time, Inhaling deeply and slowly and exhaling through your mouth. When you're ready, I invite you to stretch your arms above your head, Wiggle your fingers, Your toes, And come back into the space. The affirmation that I have for you today is, I am at peace and surrender to all. So I invite you to repeat that with me three times. I am at peace and surrender to all. Twice more. I am at peace and surrender to all. Once more. I am at peace and surrender to all. May you enjoy integrating surrender into your life daily. I invite you to be mindful, Breathe deep often, And contemplate all the ways you can still your mind and surrender. Thank you for meditating with me today.