Welcome to session seven.
There's a loneliness epidemic across the world right now that's much more dangerous than any virus.
Our greatest human need after food and shelter is to connect with others in a positive way.
And when we find that need,
It brings us calm.
When we face adversity,
Our relationships and community have an important role to play in our resilience.
Positive,
Kind and helpful connections with neighbors is the most underappreciated source of well-being.
A common misconception of urban living is that we don't feel an authentic connection.
That's because we have forgotten we are intimately connected with so much around us.
So how can we create a state of mind where we feel more connected?
With your eyes closed,
Feel the sensation in your body.
Feel the core of your body,
The down that imaginary line that connects the top of the head to the bottom of your feet.
Now starting at your feet,
Feel the sensation in your toes.
Wiggle them if you need to.
Feel the bottom of the feet,
The ankle coming up through the shins to the knees,
The thighs to your back.
Feel your back where it is rested on the seat right now.
Feel the spine upwards,
Feeling the sensation in the abdomen,
The chest,
The shoulders,
Bottom of the neck and up from the back of the head to the top of the head,
The front of the head and then feel your face.
Now take your attention inside the head.
Feel that space right behind the eyes,
Just below the brain,
Somewhere between the ears.
That's the seat of consciousness.
It is from here that you look through your eyes.
Listen through these ears.
Smell through the nose.
Taste through the tongue.
And experience a sensation of touch through the surface of the skin.
Experience the feeling of being.
The being is connected to the vehicle,
This body.
With your eyes still closed,
See if you can feel the presence of those around you.
Feel the presence of the person closest to you.
Maybe someone in the room or in the building.
Extend that awareness to others in your building.
Go beyond the media sphere.
Feel the sense of connection to your parents,
Siblings,
Close relatives,
Friends,
Etc.
Now to people with whom you work.
And then the people in the neighborhood.
Expand further.
Feel the sense of connection with people in your city.
And the people in your state or province.
Everyone in your country.
And then all living beings on this earth.
With a big heart,
Send a wish to all beings on this planet and to Mother Nature.
May all the suffering be removed.
May all the suffering be removed.
Now as you bring your awareness back to the seat of consciousness,
Notice how you feel right now.
Thank you.
Join me tomorrow for an exercise on healing our world.
Until then,
Be well.
