I'll invite you now to find a comfortable seat where your posture can be dignified and where you can also feel at ease.
This might be in your chair or on the floor or even standing or laying down.
Just a reminder that if your body becomes uncomfortable at any point during this practice,
You can feel free to change posture or move mindfully.
First look around where you are right now,
Opening your mindful awareness to the senses,
Colors around you in the room,
Noticing areas of light and dark in the room around you,
Or maybe the colors on your computer screen.
As much as you can,
Just relax and let yourself take in the environment around you.
What else do you see?
Bring your attention back to yourself seated here now.
It might feel comfortable for you to close your eyes or to keep them open.
Allow your face to be soft.
Might loosen your jaw by wiggling it a little side to side.
Letting your shoulders relax,
Your arms and hands rest easily.
Begin to notice the play of experience as you sit quietly.
Sounds that come and go from within the room,
From outside the room.
Using any sense of smell or taste.
And bringing your attention,
If you can,
To your body sensations.
You might notice areas of ease or tightness,
Warmth or cool,
Vibration or stillness.
The field of this body received with a kind,
Caring attention.
And you might notice now the state of your heart or your emotional world.
Is there interest,
Gratitude,
Sadness or grief,
Excitement,
Tenderness?
Does the heart feel open or closed?
Noticing the state of your heart without judgement.
And also noticing the states of your mind,
Your thinking.
There might be planning or excitement.
Your mind might feel relaxed or doubting,
Questioning or maybe remembering or curious.
Feel your body seated here with presence and dignity and realize that you are able to notice this play of experience as you have now with a spacious and kind attention.
And that you can come a little bit more fully into the present moment.
In the words of Jack Kornfield,
As we sat,
Our hearts beat,
The world turns and we take our seat in the midst of it.
God Bless.
God Bless.