Let the bell just be an invitation,
An invitation for your awareness to descend into your body and to simply rest your awareness in the solidity of your body.
Just like silt coming to rest at the bottom of a lake,
Allowing your awareness to just rest in the solidity of your body.
All the areas of contact feel very solid.
When you come in contact with a chair,
A cushion,
The floor,
Maybe your hands in your lap,
All those little areas of contact,
Let your awareness just settle there.
Just rest.
Take a little time to ground.
All the areas of contact feel very solid.
When you come in contact with a chair,
A cushion,
Take a moment to remember why you meditate.
It's so important to be clear about why we do what we do so we can make healthy choices.
Be aware of our motivations.
So why would you choose to meditate?
How is this helpful for you?
This particular practice of shamatha is the antidote to an obsessive compulsive busy mind.
It's the key that unlocks the door to being present and mindful in your own life,
To no longer be a prisoner of every thought,
Worry,
Impulse or desire that arises.
I invite you to take a moment to be clear about how meditating can be helpful for you and why you would choose to make it a practice.
When you're ready,
I invite you to focus your attention on the breath.
Let the breath be the object of your meditation,
The anchor for your attention.
Allow the breath to be natural,
Unmodified,
No need to interfere with it,
Just let your body breathe and do your best to focus your attention on the sensations of the breath as it enters and exits your body.
Each breath a new moment and a new opportunity to be present.
Wearing no shopspin,
And remember if your mind wanders,
No problem.
That's why we meditate.
Just relax,
Release the thoughts,
And return to the breath.
That's the practice.
That's the practice.
That's the practice.
That's the practice.
That's the practice.
That's the practice.
That's the practice.
That's the practice.
That's the practice.
Having developed our attention with our practice,
Let's now focus the last part of our meditation preparing for this precious day that awaits us.
I invite you to remember that you have a life of recovery,
That it's filled with support and opportunities,
And that today is a new opportunity and a fresh start that you get to take advantage of.
As you prepare to engage in this day,
Remember that you are not the center of the universe,
But you are a valuable part of it.
The events that happen today,
Whether you label them good or bad,
Are all opportunities to grow,
Learn,
And make your life more meaningful.
What you do,
Take just a little time to bring to mind some people,
Events,
Or things that you're grateful for.
Not a long list,
Just a couple.
Make them relevant and personal.
Let's cultivate our gratitude.
Now take some time to reflect on the person you want to be.
What are the qualities and values that you want to bring into this day?
Set your intention to not waste this day,
To live it with attention and intention,
Cultivating the qualities that you find meaningful.
Remember the only thing that separates the person you are from the person you want to be is the action you take.
Make a firm commitment to your recovery today.
Thank you.
