In the noise of daily life,
We often find ourselves caught in a constant cycle of doing,
Thinking and reacting,
Rarely pausing to witness our experience.
But within each of us there is a deeper stillness,
A quiet awareness that is always present,
Always watching.
This meditation is a gentle journey inward,
Using the metaphor of three birds to guide us into the heart of awareness.
Each bird represents a layer of our consciousness,
From the busy mind to the silent observer and beyond that,
To the awareness of awareness itself.
As you listen,
I invite you not to think too hard or to try to understand intellectually.
Instead,
Just allow the images and questions to unfold within you.
Rest in the pauses.
Let the silence speak.
And most importantly,
Be open to discovering who you truly are,
Beneath all doing,
Even beneath all witnessing.
Let's begin.
Let's begin by gently closing the eyes,
Allowing the body to settle,
The breath to soften and the mind to become quiet.
Take a few moments to simply arrive here.
Let go of the day so far.
Let go of what comes next.
Just be here,
Now.
Now,
I invite you to imagine a tree,
A tall,
Beautiful tree standing in stillness in the heart of a quiet forest.
On one of its lower branches,
There is a bird.
The bird is busy,
Hopping from branch to branch,
Gathering twigs,
Looking for food,
Always searching,
Always doing.
Busy,
Busy,
Busy.
The bird represents the mind,
The doer,
The one who is always active,
Always seeking.
Just observe this bird.
See how absorbed it is in its tasks.
Now these yogis,
On a higher branch,
There sits another bird.
This bird is still,
Calm,
Quiet,
Watching.
It doesn't interfere.
It simply observes.
It sees everything the busy bird is doing but remains untouched.
This bird is the witness.
This is awareness.
It sees without reacting.
It knows without judging.
Now take a moment.
Can you imagine being the second bird?
Can you rest here as the one who sees,
Just witnessing,
Silent,
Open,
Aware?
And now look again.
High above,
On an even higher branch,
There is a third bird.
This one is watching the second bird.
It is not just aware of the activity.
It is aware of awareness itself.
It is the witness of the witness.
And now turn your attention gently inward.
Become aware of that which is aware of the witness.
And now I ask you,
If you can be aware of the witness,
Who are you?
Let yourself rest here.
Not in thought,
But in silence.
Let the answer come,
Not from the mind,
But from the space beyond.
And when you are ready,
Gently return to the breath,
Return to the body,
Return to the room.
You may open your eyes,
Bringing this stillness with you.
Namaste.
