Ralph Waldo Emerson once wrote,
It is the tendency to cling to false beliefs and confuse our narratives for reality that gives rise to most of our suffering.
When I consider this quote by Emerson and apply it to my own life,
The sentiment rings so true.
When I discuss this with others,
It's such a common story.
How often do we define ourselves in some way and create storylines in our minds around past events?
And how common is it that we revisit these narratives so consistently that they begin to take on an actual feel,
To the degree they begin to define who it is that we think we are?
These fabrications our minds build upon oftentimes morph into limiting viewpoints of ourselves and our conceptions of who it is that we are.
So much of our suffering as humans is caused by our inability to move forward amidst the inevitable changes that take place in our lives.
Because we have this firm idea of who we are,
These definitions of what makes me,
Me,
Could be my upbringing,
My background,
My schooling,
My parents and family,
My hometown,
My failures,
My successes,
My gains and losses.
We oftentimes get stuck in a definition of who we think we are,
Or who we think we should be,
Or perhaps at its worst,
Who we think other people think we should be.
The changing nature of life is always molding us in some way,
Whether we're consciously aware of it or not.
We tend to romanticize the good times and bemoan the bad times,
While defining ourselves based on our perceptions of how we recall certain memories.
What makes this tendency troublesome is that psychology teaches us that humans register negative stimuli far more easily and perseverate on them far more intensely than they do with positive stimuli and recall positive memories.
Because of this proclivity to skew negative with our recollections,
We in turn tend to have a lesser opinion of the self than is objectively accurate.
I created this meditation as an invitation to ourselves to release the old stories,
Especially those stories that don't serve us in any way.
And how do we know if they don't serve us?
When we recall them,
Do they make us feel bad?
Do they lower our vibration in any way?
I encourage you to invite your past into this meditation in a loving way,
And give yourself permission to release the past with gratitude,
Taking only what is needed,
And respectfully leaving the rest behind,
If it no longer serves you.
This won't happen overnight,
But this practice will invite compassion into your heart and will hopefully provide insight into the undefinable,
Ineffable,
Amazing being you already are.
This realization will become so much clearer when you're unencumbered by your past.
Close your eyes,
Or gently soften your gaze,
And settle into your seat,
Your cushion,
Or if you're lying down,
The floor of the mattress.
Feel the natural rhythm of your breath as it moves in and out of your body.
Let your awareness rest on the sensation of breathing.
Cool air entering,
Warm air leaving.
Notice any sensations in your body as you scan from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet.
Become aware of any areas of tension,
Tightness.
Just allow them to relax.
No judgment,
Just a gentle awareness.
Observe thoughts as they arise,
Like clouds passing through the sky.
Just let each thought pass,
No need to grab on,
No need to engage.
Just notice and let them drift.
Now gently turn your attention to the past.
Invite your past not to relive it,
Simply to recognize.
Notice if there are any patterns,
Beliefs,
Or emotions that are imprinted within that you no longer resonate with,
No longer serve your highest self.
With each exhale of your breath,
Imagine releasing these weights,
Softening their hold on you.
With each breath,
Let these stories go.
We remember we're not bound by our old stories.
Every moment we're free to step into the truth of who we are,
Who we are now in this present moment.
Becoming aware of your breath in the foreground.
Any thoughts that are passing by in the background.
This moment is fresh,
Alive,
And filled with possibility.
Every moment matters.
Every decision from this point on matters.
Each breath is an opportunity to come back to this place,
To be fully here.
With every breath,
Feel the spaciousness.
That essence of not defining yourself too rigidly.
Our minds are far too limited to understand the majesty and greatness of who we truly are.
We're far greater than any label or any past version of ourselves.
Now together we'll invite in purpose,
Positivity,
And inspired action.
As you breathe in,
You know that you're breathing in.
With every breath out,
You're aware you're breathing out.
As you feel each breath,
Also feel the energy of authenticity.
Every breath we build upon the courage to be fully and unapologetically ourselves.
Honor where you've been.
Honor where you are.
Although these things don't define us,
Each trial,
Every loss,
Every challenge,
Has shaped you into the resilient,
Compassionate person you are.
And to the incredible person you're becoming.
Let us take a moment to silently offer gratitude.
For all the lessons we've learned along the way.
Let us embrace the becoming.
As we sit here and breathe mindfully,
We understand that life is not a race against time.
But rather a deep lesson in being.
And in the simple act of being is becoming.
There's no need to force.
What is meant for you is already unfolding.
Trust yourself.
Trust your path.
Trust that being present in this always available,
Incredible,
Ever-present moment.
You are already whole.
Breathe in this truth and let it settle deep inside you.
Rest in this stillness for just a few moments and let these reflections sink in.
Feel your breath.
Feel your presence.
Feel the quiet power of simply being.
Above all else,
Let us close this meditation with a deep and profound love for ourselves.
Let us wholly love all the versions of ourselves we've ever been.
All the ages.
All the levels of wisdom.
And the levels of ignorance.
The versions that have disappointed us.
The versions that have made us proud.
Let us release the limited definitions we have of ourselves.
And work to integrate all of these versions in loving unity.
And honor this present moment,
Pregnant with unconditional love,
For this living,
Breathing,
Limitless you.
Who is so full of opportunity.
May you be safe,
Happy,
And healthy.
And may you be free.
May you welcome this present moment with every fiber of the incredible being that is you.
Whenever you're ready,
Gently open your eyes.
Carrying this presence with you into the rest of your day.
This is Joe Summers.
And from the bottom of my heart,
I appreciate you spending some time with me today in meditation.
Namaste.
