And as we explore intention,
Meaning,
And purpose,
It can often help to create intentional spaces to bring that into our meditation.
So this is one of several options that you can try to enliven and ignite that sense of intention,
That sense of meaning,
In a way that also can allow you to feel more empowered,
More supported,
And less alone.
So we'll just begin by settling the body,
Just taking some time to get into whatever kind of posture feels supportive for you for this period of practice,
Depending on how your day is.
That might be sitting,
Might be lying down,
Could even be standing,
And just sensing into what your body needs right now.
So just allowing your eyes to close if they haven't already,
Allowing yourself to sense into your body,
All the places where your body makes contact with the surface that you're sitting on or lying on,
Just allowing yourself a moment here to sense into the support that's here,
The cushion or chair or couch beneath you,
The support of the building you're in,
Even the support of the earth beneath you and the sky above you,
Knowing that right now you can rest,
You can let go,
You can relax,
And just inviting a sense of ease in whatever way feels best into the body.
You might find that it's supportive to invite the muscles in your face to relax.
You may even wish to breathe a sense of relaxation down into your arms and your hands,
Into your legs and feet,
Breathing that relaxation also into the back,
The spine,
Chest and the belly.
And as you rest here,
Just beginning to notice your breath,
Noticing the rise and fall of the chest or belly,
A sense of warm breath moving through the mouth or the nostrils,
Just tuning into that sense of the body breathing in whatever way feels most comfortable and easy for you.
And as you breathe,
Just letting the body continue to settle and allowing the mind to begin to settle along with it,
Knowing that you can let go of any thoughts or worries or plans that have been occupying you throughout the day,
That you'll be able to come back to them if and when you want at the end of our practice.
Feeling the body breathing,
Feeling the body at rest.
And as you do,
Just beginning now to sense into an intention or an altruistic motivation,
Which may be similar to one that you've explored in the group,
Or it could be something else.
Really any positive intention or sense of motivation.
It could be big and meaningful or personal and deeply intimate.
It could be something like being a good steward to the planet,
Connecting to your love for the earth.
Or something more relational,
Like an intention to slow down and be present for the people you love.
Or be gentle with yourself in times of stress.
And just knowing that there likely will be some sense,
Some motivation or intention that bubbles up to the surface a little more clearly,
A little more strongly.
Just taking some time to notice what motivation or intention feels strongest for you right now.
As you begin to notice that intention,
Settling on one intention to practice with for this moment,
And just allowing whatever that intention is to begin to become more and more vivid.
Noticing your care,
Your commitment,
The emotion or energy that's behind this intention.
And allowing yourself to recollect the people or places that are impacted by this positive intention.
Just noticing what does it feel like to be connected to this positive sense of motivation,
Of purpose,
Of intention?
Where do you feel it in your body?
What is the physical sensation of this feeling,
This aim?
What images or memories arise?
What hopes or dreams or aspirations bubble up alongside it?
Allowing yourself to really fully turn towards this experience of intention.
Letting yourself feel that positive intention running through your veins.
Feeling the energy that it builds within the body.
Noticing if there are emotions attached to it.
Feeling how powerful it can be to connect to some positive,
Meaningful aspiration.
Now just holding on to that aspiration.
And imagining yourself now standing next to another person who is also committed to the same intention,
The same motivation.
And it may be someone who you know.
It may not be.
Just allowing this other person with the same deep wish in their heart to come forward and stand beside you.
Knowing you can use your imagination here and let this grow stronger and more vivid.
You might notice the expression on this person's face.
Or what it's like just to stand here knowing that you are side by side with someone who has the same motivation,
The same good intention as you.
And as you stand here with them,
Feeling their presence,
Feeling the way that in this the two of you are united.
Just allowing another person sharing the same motivation,
The same good intention to join you.
And again,
Stand side by side with them.
Side by side with both of you.
Together.
Committed to the same positive intention.
Noticing what that's like.
There may be one person on either side of you now.
How does it feel to be in the presence of others who share this with you?
Now letting even more people,
More beings join you.
Allowing them to arrive united in the same motivation,
The same good intention.
Until you're all standing together in a big circle.
Just envisioning or sensing,
Feeling or imagining them there with you.
Standing there all around you,
Sharing the same hope,
The same motivation,
The same goodness.
Noticing what that's like.
What does it feel like in the body to be here in such good company?
What arises in the heart as you allow yourself in your mind's eye to look around the circle and see all of these people,
All of these beings united in the same care,
In the same goodness.
Feeling the way that all of you are in this together.
And just soaking that in,
As if every cell of your body could just absorb that sense of community,
Standing together,
United.
Sense of shared purpose,
Shared meaning.
You may even speak that intention out into this circle.
Allowing the other people to do the same.
Making that intention even stronger.
Just allowing this intention now to see itself fully in your heart.
In your mind.
Knowing that you carry it with you.
And you carry it alongside so many others who are also committed to the same good purpose.
And circle to begin to dissolve,
Knowing that you can return to it at any time to refresh your commitment to this intention.
And just gently now,
Beginning to come back into the room,
You might stretch a little bit.
And allowing the eyes gently to open and look around.
And just taking a moment to notice how it is in the mind,
In the body,
In the heart.
And who has spent time honoring this intention.
Thank you for your practice.
