Honouring The Beloved Dead

In this practice, we remember and honour those whom we have lost, those beloved dead whom we knew and cared for.
This is a space to hold and process grief.
Check out Keziah's "Honouring the Ancestors" course here on Insight Timer.

Transcript

Hello and welcome to this session on the beloved dead with me Keziah Gibbons. Please make yourself comfortable in preparation for your practice. Settling your body into rest as you turn your attention inwards. Allow your breath to deepen and slow. And your muscles to relax as you send your awareness further inwards. Seeking that place that is the stillest, The darkest, The quietest. In this place, Deep inside, There is a beautiful thread. And you might notice how beautiful it is, How rich the colours, You might notice its texture or how it makes you feel inside. Touching the thread, You follow it through your inner landscape, Allowing it to lead you until you reach the tapestry. In the tapestry are many things and you are drawn to the place of the ancestors. Allow yourself to enter the tapestry. Come into that place and announce your presence and your intention. You may want to offer flowers, A libation, Light a candle or sing or speak special sounds or words. You may find that some of your loving ancestors come to be with you as you do so. Or it may be quiet, A sacred space awaiting the work we do. Today we are honouring and remembering the beloved dead. Speak the name of the beloved dead with whom you would like to work. Let their name form on your lips and their face be in your heart. Remember their voice the way you felt. Call this person's presence into being. You may feel that they are with you. Or you may just be aware of the place of the ancestors as a space into which you may speak what you have to say, Trusting that it will reach them. Now is the time to say whatever you would like to say to your beloved dead. Tell them what you need to, Ask what you need to and then just sit quietly here in the place of the ancestors and allow any communing to happen. Allow yourself to feel what you feel and receive anything there is for you to receive. This is your time to honour your beloved dead. It's almost time to close the practice, So say anything you need to now, Knowing that you can come back to this practice again and again. Now take your leave of your beloved dead, Affirming that you are going back to partake fully in life and you can choose to take their memory with you if you wish. Know that they wish you well. Leaving the place of the ancestors. Thank all the loving ancestors who have been with you, Supporting you in your practice. Follow the thread out of the tapestry and back through your internal landscape until it leads you to a still, Dark, Quiet place within, From where you can be aware of your physical body resting in meditation. Begin to be aware of your breathing, Allowing it to be full and deep and be aware of your body where it rests. Notice any sounds around you and welcoming in now gentle movement. When you're ready, You can open your eyes. That's all for today, Have a peaceful rest of your day.