Welcome,
Welcome!
As I moved through my morning today,
I've noticed just how much the mind can try to convince us that peace will come later.
When the thing is figured out,
When the body feels better,
When the diagnosis goes away,
When we awaken just a little bit more,
It can really seem like being free from the ego is some far-off goal that we finally reach if we do just enough.
But what I continue to remember is that none of that is true.
Peace isn't some sort of finish line.
It's not a reward for our effort.
It's here.
It's now.
It's already.
This moment,
Just as it is,
Before we try to change it or improve it or fix it,
It's already resting in peace.
And the good thing is,
Is that we don't have to die to get there.
We can rest in peace now.
Right here.
And just gently embody what's already here.
So just let your body get comfortable.
If it feels right,
Close your eyes.
Let your shoulders lower.
The jaw release.
The forehead relax.
Letting the breath soften.
We're just simply meeting this moment exactly as it is.
If there's any discomfort in your body,
Just notice.
If there's tension in the mind,
Just notice and let it be here.
Just the gentle allowing of whatever is arising.
Perhaps there may be a subtle expectation that something should shift soon.
And if you do this meditation session just right,
You'll feel better.
You'll feel more at peace.
You'll feel something other than what you're feeling right now.
Just notice that too.
If there's any type of expectations.
Just noticing that part of the mind that is still seeking satisfaction in a future moment.
And can you just meet that part of the mind without judgment?
What if peace isn't a change in your state?
But instead,
The space that holds all the states.
If thoughts are continuing to swirl,
That's okay.
What is aware of the thoughts?
And the same with sensations.
What is aware of the sensations?
What is aware of the sensation?
And this awareness is pure presence disturbed by any of it.
You are already here.
Already awake.
Already whole.
In truth,
There's nothing more to become.
There's only seeing.
Remembering.
What are you?
You're just allowing yourself just to be one with whatever arises.
No part of this moment needs to change.
Nothing needs to be different.
To rest in awareness as awareness.
Without thoughts,
What am I?
Notice the simplicity of just awareness.
Awareness aware of itself.
As we begin to close this session,
Just let your breath move freely.
Noticing the sensations in your hands or feet.
And gently open your eyes.
This peace you've touched,
This presence isn't separate from this session,
From the day that's ahead.
It's here.
In the midst of the dishes,
The emails,
The conversations,
The joy,
The silence.
So just let yourself walk from here as awareness with nothing to reach for.
Because we are what has never left.
Thank you for joining me today.
Namaste.
