Welcome to this guided meditation on finding happiness.
With your eyes closed let's take a deep breath in.
Be aware of how your body moves to the rhythm of your breathing,
To the give-and-take of life,
To the sound of abundance and hope that accompany every inhalation,
To the flow of existence that travels outward with every exhalation,
And to the up and down of being you,
An infinite being with the power to illuminate and heal the world.
Together let's reconnect with the joy that lives abundantly within all of us.
It's inherent to who we are.
It's our connection to a divine source.
It's infinite and it's powerful and it is your divine right.
As you settle into this meditation it's important to recognize that you're not alone in your desire to find happiness.
The longing for joy is shared among every human on earth.
Yet there are many reasons why happiness can seem elusive to us.
Past experiences,
Daily stress,
Chronic pain,
Mental health conditions,
Or a general lack of self-care can all contribute to the subtle state of being happy.
Despite this shared desire the journey to find happiness can sometimes feel lonely because the solution is uniquely yours.
So let's take this time to discover what happiness may mean to you and to acknowledge that other people you see on the streets,
Friends or family,
Could also be asking themselves the same question.
And that the appearance of happiness could just be a shadow to a greater mystery that we all want to solve.
Let's bring attention to your heart space.
This is the area in your chest where you experience joy when you're feeling good.
Let each breath ease the busyness of your thoughts.
Allow yourself to let go of anxiety or expectations that may prevent you from recognizing joy.
As you continue breathing sink deeper into a state of open-mindedness so you may see that happiness could just be a single moment in a busy day.
That it's simple like a smile or a good deed and that it looks different for everyone.
Happiness is the comfort of a warm embrace.
It's the eternal light that binds us to all living beings,
To life itself.
It's always here waiting for you to release its magnificent potential.
It's the smell of summer rain.
It's the sound of a bird's morning prayer.
It's the colors of a fiery sunset and the gaze of a blue moon.
It's laughter and gratitude and it's acceptance.
And happiness,
Much like the ebb and flow of the spring tide,
Has its own natural rhythm where moments of abundance alternate with quieter periods in life.
Happiness is also consciously putting yourself into a better frame of mind.
It's turning down the dial to the repetitious thinking that clutters our perceptions.
It's uncovering the truth of who you are and recognizing the moments the people and the decisions that will lead to a happier state of being for you.
It's the knowing of what brings you joy.
It's actions and then it's practice and that is how you find happiness.
In this contemplative state,
Let's take a moment to think about what makes your heart smile.
What does happiness look like to you?
Maybe it's another person,
An animal,
A place,
A sound,
Or a taste.
Or maybe it's a memory.
It could be something small or something big.
Happiness is how you define it.
It's how you experience it and it's how you share it with others.
The experience of being happy can also change as your consciousness evolves,
As you evolve.
Now that you've identified a few sources of happiness,
Imagine them as brilliant stars lighting up your heart space and that you are their light keeper.
See them flickering with abundance and warmth.
Each star represents a unique moment of joy in your life.
These moments,
Or stars,
Never fade.
Even after their physical life has ended,
Their light becomes woven into the fabric of your soul,
Endless and infinite.
Together they create a never-ending constellation of happiness within.
They're always there.
They are lights that only you can see.
A constellation patiently waiting for more stars to be added to its ever-expanding network of light.
Focusing on your breath,
Notice that you feel lighter,
More open to recognizing small moments of joy that exist in your life.
Notice that the busyness of your mind has softened.
Notice how the motion of your breathing supports the steady beating of your heart.
This inner connection between your heart space and happiness is the thread that grounds your being to the life-giving soil of earth.
And it's recognizing that happiness is simple and that it follows you like a shadow that yearns to feel the afternoon sun.
Let's remain here for a few moments longer.
Breathe naturally and continue thinking about how you,
The light-keeper,
Can incorporate more happiness into your life.
If your mind wanders,
Tell yourself,
I am committed to my own happiness.
Allow yourself to connect with your truth and your inner desire to be joyful.
When you're ready,
Gently open your eyes and slowly bring your awareness back to the present.
Carry this sense of discovery with you throughout the day and continue to remind yourself of moments or things that create happiness in your life.
Think of the constellation of joyful moments that already exists in your mind.
And remember that happiness is our divine right.
It is simple,
It has a rhythm,
And that you are the light-keeper who holds the key to an infinite network of luminous stars that are uniquely yours.
Until next time.
