What helps you rest?
Hello and welcome to the Lunar Guided Meditation series.
My name is Lauren and I will be your guide for this meditation.
Let's take a moment together to be here and get settled in for our practice.
Take some time to get into a comfortable position,
Whether seated or lying down or maybe even while walking.
Take a deep breath in,
Drawing air in through your nose,
Down to the center of your body,
Followed by a slow exhale,
Air flowing back out.
You are here.
For this meditation,
We will be focusing on rest.
Without consistent self-care and tending of the mind and body,
It will not function properly.
All creatures,
Big and small,
Rest.
It is a time of healing and integration.
It is a necessary part of our journey so that we may keep going.
You've already made some success just by showing up here for yourself,
By taking action to support yourself in the ways you know you need.
You've already begun to be more present and aware and I invite you to start to become more aware of your breathing,
Just noticing it.
Maybe you notice the way your chest rises as you inhale or the quiet sound the air makes flowing through your mouth or nose as you exhale.
Maybe you notice the way each breath moves you,
Softly and subtly.
I invite you to follow your breath,
Deepening your awareness as you deepen your breathing.
Breathe in the way that makes you feel most natural and comfortable,
Trusting your body.
Inhaling and exhaling,
Noticing the ebb and flow.
Many things,
If not almost all things,
Follow this cyclical nature,
The ebb and flow,
The waxing and weaning.
It is a part of our natural world,
Just like we too are a part of our natural world.
Inhaling and exhaling,
Ebbing and flowing,
Waxing and weaning.
The moon also takes part in this natural rhythm,
Filling and emptying,
Balancing light and dark,
Moving to a soft,
Subtle rhythm.
When the moon is balsamic,
It is nearly empty again,
A small sliver of light left before it will return to total darkness.
It must return to darkness in order to continue the cycle of light it flows through timelessly.
With this in mind,
I invite you to return your focus to your breathing.
Each breath is a chance to rest.
As you bring awareness to your breath,
You may notice a calm filling you,
You may notice the chaos of your mind begins to settle,
And there is time for you to recuperate,
Even if just in this moment.
Let's use our breath to help align us with this message from the balsamic moon.
I invite you to continue to bring your awareness back to your breath.
It is okay if you get distracted.
You have a wonderful brain with many thoughts.
This is normal,
All you need to do is gently remind yourself of your breathing and come back to it as often as you need to.
As you inhale,
Begin to notice the way it feels,
Taking time to be mindful of your mind,
Body and environment.
Just take note,
There is nothing to judge,
Nothing you need to do,
You are already doing everything you have to,
Just by being here.
Rely on your senses to guide your awareness.
As I inhale,
I am aware of my breathing.
As you continue to breathe,
I now invite you to shift your attention to your exhale,
Continuing to notice your mind,
Body and environment,
Staying mindful,
Noticing the way your breath brings forth calmness.
As I inhale,
I am aware of my breathing.
As I exhale,
I rest.
Repeating this to yourself with each inhale and exhale,
Using these words to help guide you to your intentions.
What helps you rest?
Be well.
