So I will start by saying this little body of mine can have so many stories to tell.
But when I notice that I'm feeling tired or stressed or weary from the mind or when physical symptoms pop up,
I just pause.
Because I've come to recognize that in truth,
These things are not the actual problem.
They're in fact a defense against truth,
As A Course in Miracles says.
They're kind of a veil,
A misidentification.
Not something to judge myself for,
But just sort of this gentle signal,
This red flag that pops up that says,
Hey,
You've gone unconscious for a moment to who you really are.
I've fallen asleep and I don't need to condemn myself,
Although that can arise too.
But I don't need to judge myself for having a low moment,
And I also don't need to analyze why.
Why the symptoms are occurring,
Why I might feel tired.
Because in doing that,
It only strengthens the illusion of separation.
So I just see it as simply just an invitation.
It's just an invitation for me to remember.
To remember who I really am,
What I really am.
And it's not this tired body.
It's not these shifting thoughts.
It's not these emotions passing through me.
Because in truth,
I'm the presence in which it's all arising.
I'm the stillness beyond the storm.
The light behind the veil.
And the same is true for you.
So as we join today,
Let's just let go of trying to fix anything.
Let's try not to change one single thing.
And instead,
Just rest.
Rest in and as we are.
So we'll start there for a moment.
And if the mind is still very active,
Just let that be okay.
And right now,
I just invite you to bring to mind something in your life that's been sort of pulling on you.
It might be a physical symptom.
The fatigue you can't seem to shake.
The diagnosis that may feel frightening.
Restlessness in your mind.
Just see if you can allow it to gently rise to the surface,
But without judging it.
And now imagine this whole situation,
Your body.
Your feelings,
Your thoughts about it.
As though you're watching it on a screen,
Like a movie.
There's the character doing their best.
There's the character feeling tired.
Wishing things were different.
Wanting to feel better.
There's the character who feels frustrated and overwhelmed.
There she is.
There he is.
Doing the best that they know how.
And for now,
Just watch for the next few moments.
Watch this character.
We're just watching the character.
There's Jodi,
Who wants the body to heal.
There's Nancy,
Who feels overwhelmed.
There's Alicia,
Trying to hold it all together.
Just notice everything that's arising that the character is trying to do.
And now let's allow the I to drop away.
So instead of,
I am tired,
There is tiredness in the character.
Tiredness appearing in the movie of Jodi,
Of Kathy,
Of Barbara,
Of the small self.
There is pain appearing in the movie of this character.
Feel the freedom in that.
And now gently turn your attention toward the one who is watching the screen.
The silent witness.
The observing presence.
Is that one tired?
Is that one anxious?
Does awareness itself have a diagnosis or any problems?
Awareness is just simply here.
It's always here.
It's always still.
And it's always untouched.
And if the mind suddenly slips back into identifying with the character,
That's okay.
Just come back to observing.
Awareness is always here.
Always still.
And always untouched by it all.
Sensations may still come.
Thoughts may still arise.
But you are not required to chase them.
Or fix them.
Or believe them.
Or let them go.
Simply rest.
Rest as the unchanging awareness in which this moment is arising.
In which everything is arising.
You're just noticing.
Just resting.
And being what you truly are.
And as we slowly bring this session to a close,
Gently come back to the room.
Noticing your breath.
Noticing your breath.
And when you feel ready,
I invite you to gently allow your eyes to open.
And let them open from this place of stillness.
From presence.
Let this presence that is you see through your eyes.
Let it hear through your ears the sounds in the room.
Feeling the hum of life around you.
Because even with our eyes open,
You have not left awareness.
It's impossible.
It's you.
The body may move and shake and rattle.
The mind may spin.
And the day is certainly going to unfold.
But you remain.
You remain as the ever-present field of peace and wholeness and perfection.
Thank you for joining me today.
