Hello and welcome friends.
This meditation is meant to be done with a pet.
If you need to take time to allow him or her to join you,
Please feel free to pause this recording.
This will be a guided meditation without background music so that we can focus our attention on the sound of our animal's breath.
So now finding a quiet and comfortable place to sit.
It's best to find a quiet space with as little background noise as possible.
And depending on your pet's size,
This meditation can be done either sitting next to your pet or with your pet on your lap.
At this time,
You may either gently invite your friend into your lap or to sit next to you.
Adjusting slightly to find the most comfortable position.
And setting the intention that your pet will be completely comfortable here.
Allowing the eyes to gently close.
Softening the muscles around the eyes.
Breathing out the forehead.
Allowing the jaw to completely relax.
Breathing into the shoulders and the back,
Allowing them to soften.
Using your body in any way to allow yourself to be completely comfortable.
Feeling yourself being fully supported by the surface beneath you.
Also being okay with this position changing during the meditation if you or your friend need to adjust.
So softly turning your attention to your breath.
Allowing yourself to let go and soften even more.
Using the flow of breath in and out.
Now turning your attention to your pet's breathing.
You can place your hand on his or her side or back or even belly depending on your positions.
Moving your hand to the place on their body where it is easiest to feel the rise and fall of breath.
Gently tuning in to your pet's breathing.
To the feel of the rise and fall.
To in and out.
If you are sitting with a cat friend,
Purring may be the dominant movement you are feeling.
Just focusing on the purring or the breath,
Whichever is easier to feel.
Just feeling the rise and fall on your hand.
Continuing with that sensation.
Fully connected with your pet.
And now leaving your hand resting on your friend.
Gently turning your attention to the sound of your pet's breathing.
Again if your cat is sitting with you,
Purring may be the dominant sound you are hearing.
So just focusing on the purring or the breath,
Whichever is easier to hear.
Hearing the breath.
Feeling the in and out.
Welcoming the connection you have.
And feeling full appreciation for your friend.
Setting the intention that this is helping your friend just as much,
If not more than it is helping you.
Knowing that you are both benefiting from this time together.
Just fully focusing on the sound of the breath here.
Just saying if the inhale is longer or if the exhale is longer.
Is there even a difference?
Or are they both the same length?
Just being here fully with the sound of the breath.
And now deciding if hearing the breath is easier to focus on.
Or if returning your attention to the feeling of the rise and fall of the breath is easier.
And then staying with that,
Whichever is easier to focus on.
I am going to leave you to focusing on the feel or the sound now.
And when thoughts float in,
Simply refocusing on the sound of the breath or to the feel of the rise and fall.
Good.
And now as we begin to close this meditation,
Feeling yourself being fully supported by the surface beneath you.
And if it feels right,
Gently stroking your pet.
Offering gratitude for this time together.
Feeling the love that you share with your pet.
Feeling that you will both feel more relaxed after this special time together.
And now focusing on the in and out of your own breath.
Slowly bringing your attention back into the room.
Perhaps wiggling the toes and the fingers.
And slowly,
Gently opening the eyes when you feel ready.
Wishing you and your pet ease and grace moving forward.
Thank you so much for joining me.
Namaste.
