Welcome to the Center the Absurd meditation podcast,
Where we engage deeply and mindfully with the silliest and most absurd spaces within ourselves in order to find levity and relief from the pains and stresses of our human existence.
Today's meditation practice focuses on dealing with pain in your mind or body.
Begin by finding a comfortable space and settling into a relaxed position.
You can be sitting or lying down or if you prefer,
You can walk or move slowly and intentionally.
Become aware of your body in the space.
Feel where your body connects to the earth.
Breathe slowly and steadily in and out.
Feel the air entering your nose,
Moving through your body and being exhaled.
Starting at the top of your head and moving down to the base of your feet,
Scan your body for any physical sensations,
Tensions or discomfort that may be present.
There's no need to do anything to try to change something or make something go away.
Just notice.
See if you can remove any thoughts,
Stories or judgments about the sensations you are experiencing.
Observe them as sensory experiences,
Sensations.
Seeing if you can stay present with them as neutrally as you can.
Now bring your attention to one particular discomfort,
Pain or tension.
Notice where in the body it rests.
Is it held in a part of your physical body or do you experience it as more mind-based,
Residing inside your skull,
Your brain or your spirit?
Notice the nature of the sensation.
Does it feel tight?
Is it hot?
How would you describe it?
A cutting pain?
A prickly or itchy feeling?
Pressured and tight?
Aching or stabbing?
Dull or sharp?
Try to imagine it as an object or a movement.
Is there a heavy weight inside?
Does it feel like a fireball?
Are there shards of glass under your skin?
Does it feel like electric sparks are moving through you?
Bring as much detail as you can to your experience of the pain.
What color is it?
Is it steady,
Stuck in one spot?
Does the sensation spread?
Is it moving?
Now if you can,
Gently stay present with the sensations or discomfort.
Keep breathing.
With each breath,
Remind yourself that you are here and you are safe.
Whether the discomfort or pain is a new experience for you or something that you have coped with for a long time,
Remind yourself of how strong you are.
It takes a lot of courage and resolve to hold steady with that kind of discomfort.
Now I want you to imagine a tiny repair professional like a pocket-sized maintenance technician,
Janitor or handy person.
They are standing on the palm of your hand.
They are tiny,
I mean really tiny,
Like less than an inch tall.
They are wearing work overalls and a brimmed cap.
Around their waist is a miniature tool belt with teeny tiny tools hanging off of it.
When they walk or move,
You hear the jangle of the eensy weensy key chain clipped to their belt with dozens of little keys rattling against each other.
They are carrying a small satchel or work bag that you imagine is filled with all kinds of tiny tools and gadgets.
See the repair person clearly in your mind's eye.
Give them a name if you want.
This person feels very familiar to you and is friendly and professional.
You know that they are helpful and very skillful.
Now tell the tiny repair person about the pain or discomfort you are holding inside of you.
Let them know all of the details.
Describe to them exactly where the pain or discomfort is,
How you experience it,
How long you have been carrying it.
Give them as much information as you can.
See the super tiny repair person nodding.
They are receiving all of the information.
They understand completely and are very sympathetic.
They tap their hand on their tool belt and wink.
I've got this,
They tell you.
You watch as the repair person shrinks themselves down,
Becoming even smaller,
Microscopic.
They easily enter into the inside of your body.
You don't feel a thing,
But you know they are there with you and on the job.
Follow as the repair person moves through your body toward the source of the pain and discomfort you described.
They are moving very efficiently and arrive at the spot in no time at all.
Once there,
They take a look around,
Surveying the situation.
They see you have described the scene very well.
It is exactly how you imagined it.
The repair person opens their tool bag and pulls out a silver aluminum tank which they strap to their back.
There is a long hose attached to the top of the tank and at the end of the hose is a sprayer.
The repair person begins to spray a substance all over the area affected by the pain or discomfort.
You can imagine the spray as a sparkling bright white light,
A cooling blue liquid,
A lavender neutralizing powder.
Whatever you imagine would be the best antidote for the discomfort you are feeling.
The repair person is thorough and covers the entire area,
Not missing a single spot.
After a few moments,
The entire area is covered,
Saturated with a soothing neutralizing remedy.
The repair person gently exits your insides and is there in the palm of your hand again.
You thank the repair person for their quick response and for their thorough job.
You are feeling some relief already.
The repair person tips their hat.
Anytime just call me if something comes up.
I'm happy to help.
They wish you well and disappear.
You know they will always be on call.
They will be there if you need them again.
All you have to do is call them to mind.
You take a deep breath.
You scan your body again,
Noticing that things feel a lot lighter.
There is a lot less tension and discomfort.
The pain,
Pressure,
Or tightness now feels much more manageable.
You can feel it fading,
Easing back.
Maybe it's gone entirely.
You are in the room in which you started.
You are safe and solid.
You really are so brave for how well you've carried that discomfort,
For how long it's been with you.
Despite how much it hurt and bothered you,
You managed to keep a level head,
Stay calm,
And you knew exactly what you needed to find relief.
You are very aware of your body and take very good care of yourself.
You don't have to do it alone.
There are people in your life who may offer you help,
Support,
Resources,
And you'll always have your tiny repair person.
Whenever you are having an unpleasant physical sensation,
Tension,
Ache,
Or pain,
Close your eyes and call for repair.
In no time at all,
You'll hear the familiar jingle jangle of keys and someone will be at the ready to offer support and relief.
You carry that source of repair with you always and it is there when you need it.
Be well.
