Welcome.
Sometimes without even realizing it,
We begin carrying things that were never ours to hold.
The worries of others.
Expectations that we place on ourselves,
Old conversations.
Lingering emotions.
And a constant feeling that we need to do more or be more.
So in today's practice,
You'll be invited to gently set down that invisible weight.
If only for a little while.
There's nothing to force,
Nothing to figure out.
Nothing to fix.
This is an opportunity to reconnect with yourself.
And remember what it feels like to simply be.
So take a moment now to settle into a comfortable position,
Whether you're sitting or lying down.
Allow your hands to rest softly wherever they feel most natural.
And if it feels comfortable,
Gently close your eyes.
Take a slow,
Deep breath in through your nose now.
And exhale with a soft sigh.
Again,
Breathe in.
And let it go.
Once more now,
A full and nourishing inhale.
And a long and gentle exhale.
There is nowhere else you need to be right now.
Nothing you need to solve.
Nothing you need to fix.
Just this moment.
Just this breath.
Allow your breathing to find its own natural rhythm.
Without changing anything,
Simply notice the gentle rise and fall of your body.
Notice how the earth beneath you is supporting you completely.
You don't have to hold yourself up.
You don't have to carry this moment alone.
And as you continue to breathe,
Imagine that you've been walking a long path carrying a backpack.
At first,
It didn't seem very heavy.
But over time,
Little by little.
Things were added.
The expectations of others.
Responsibilities worries.
Conversations that stayed with you.
Emotions you absorbed without realizing.
The pressure to be enough.
To do enough.
To hold everything together.
Perhaps you've been carrying things that were never really yours to carry.
Without judgment.
Simply notice what might be inside that backpack today.
There's no need to name everything.
Just acknowledge that you've been carrying a lot.
Now imagine finding a peaceful place beneath a large and ancient tree.
Its branches stretch wide above you.
Offering shade and safety.
The earth beneath the tree feels steady.
And warm.
You slowly slide the backpack from your shoulders.
And gently place it on the ground.
Notice the feeling of releasing its weight.
You don't have to throw it away.
You don't have to pretend that it never existed.
You're simply allowing yourself to rest.
The tree has stood through countless seasons.
It knows how to hold what feels too heavy.
So for these next few moments.
Allow this ancient tree to carry the weight for you.
Feel your shoulders soften.
Your jaw on clench.
Your chest becoming just a little more spacious.
With every exhale,
Imagine any tension,
Worry or heaviness.
Flowing gently from your body.
Into the earth below.
The Earth receives it without resistance.
It knows exactly what to do with it.
There's nothing that you need to force.
Nothing you need to push away.
Just breathe.
You may begin to notice that underneath everything you've been carrying,
There's still you.
Steady.
HOME And enough.
Untouched by the weight you've been holding.
Take a few quiet breaths here.
Resting in that feeling.
And as we begin to close,
Silently repeat these words to yourself.
I release what is not mine to carry.
I release what is not mine to carry.
I release what is not mine to carry.
Know that you can return to this place whenever life begins to feel heavy.
The backpack doesn't have to stay on your shoulders all the time.
You are allowed to rest.
You are allowed to receive support.
You are allowed to let go.
Begin now to deepen your breath.
Feeling your sits bones or your spine resting on the surface beneath you.
And as you're ready,
Gently begin to wiggle your fingers and your toes.
And invite a little movement back into your body.
And when you're ready,
Softly blink your eyes open.
And carry only what truly belongs to you.
And leave the rest behind.
May you know peace.
