Find a position where you feel both comfortable and alert.
This could be a seated position,
Maybe you're lying down,
Or perhaps you're propped up on a wall or cushion.
Choose whatever shape works for you today.
You want to feel comfortable enough that your body is not distracting to you during this practice.
Take a moment to relax,
Letting a feeling of peace and calm make its way through your body,
Beginning with your feet and traveling up through your ankles and calves,
Extending into your thighs and hips,
Allowing the feeling of relaxation to extend into the lower back and belly,
Up to the chest and upper back.
Let the shoulders relax away from the ears as you extend the feeling of relaxation through your arms and fingertips,
Feeling your neck relax,
Unclenching the jaw,
Relaxing the space between your eyebrows,
And letting a feeling of peace take over your entire body.
Today we'll practice pursed lip breathing.
Perched lip breathing is a simple breathing technique that helps make deep breaths slower and more intentional.
The inhale for this breath is through a closed mouth for a count of two,
But when you exhale you will pucker your lips just as if you were giving a kiss and breathe out for a count of four.
We'll do this together three times and then I'll give you a few moments to practice at your own pace.
Start with taking a full exhale,
Completely emptying the belly,
Then keeping the mouth closed,
Inhale through your nose for one,
Two,
Now exhale through your pursed lips for four,
Three,
Two,
One.
Inhale,
Exhale.
Inhale,
Exhale.
Now take the next few moments to continue this breath at your own pace.
Release the pursed lip breathing.
Practice returning your breath to a slow,
Deep inhale and exhale through the nose.
Try to hold on to the peacefulness and stillness you cultivated through the breathing practice,
Allowing the practice to help quiet the mind.
We'll go deeper today by considering a question that is inspired by the tarot card,
The Seven of Swords.
The Seven of Swords shows a man sneaking away from a camp with five swords in his arms.
He's looking over his shoulder at two swords he left behind.
The smile on his face suggests that he is proud of himself for having slipped away without being noticed.
This card can indicate theft,
Betrayal,
Deception,
And trickery.
You could be the one sneaking around,
Or you may be the victim of someone else's betrayal.
This card also suggests that you may need to find ways to resolve this situation quickly so that you can move forward.
Now turn your focus inward and ask yourself,
What situation do I need to resolve?
Sit with this question without trying to analyze or think and just allow any answers to come up from deep within.
What situation do I need to resolve?
As you practice bypassing the thoughts and listening to your deeper wisdom,
You may notice that you don't always hear words.
You may have gotten images or impressions or even random thoughts or memories.
Anything that came up could have a meaning.
Take a few breaths to process whatever came up for you during this exercise and consider if you want to act on anything that you learned.
Listen to the following affirmation and whether you feel it is true or not,
Repeat it to yourself and let it resonate deep within.
I embrace a new chapter in my life.
As we reach the end of today's practice,
Bring the palms together at heart center,
Slightly bowing your head and take a moment to reflect on your experience.
Were you able to connect with your inner wisdom?
Did you practice listening and being open?
Allowing this experience and all the insight you gain to stay with you,
Bring your awareness back to your physical surroundings.
Take your time and when you are ready,
Open your eyes and allow your body any movement that it needs.
