My name is Linda Rossini,
And this meditation is all about letting go of what no longer serves us,
And is inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh,
Who was a renowned Buddhist monk and who continues to be widely respected for his teachings on mindfulness,
Meditation,
And peace.
Let's begin this meditation journey towards non-attachment and inner peace by finding a comfortable position,
Either seated or lying down,
And slowly allow your eyes to soften or even close,
And take a deep breath in through your nose,
And then exhale,
Release a full breath out.
Start here by becoming aware of your breath.
Feel the rise and fall of your chest and belly as you breathe in,
And as you breathe out.
Allow your whole physical body to settle into stillness,
Feeling grounded and present in this moment.
As you continue to draw inward,
I'd like to share a story with you,
And it's called Releasing Your Cows.
One day the Buddha was sitting with some of his monks in the wood,
And a farmer passed by looking distraught.
He asked the Buddha,
Monks,
Have you seen some cows going by here?
What cows?
The Buddha responded.
Well,
The man said,
I have four cows,
And I don't know why,
But this morning they all ran away.
I also have two acres of sesame.
This year the insects ate the entire crop.
I have lost everything,
My harvest and my cows.
I feel like killing myself.
The Buddha said,
Dear friend,
We have been sitting here almost an hour,
And we have not seen any cows passing by.
Maybe you should go and look in the other direction.
When the farmer was gone,
The Buddha looked at his friends and smiled knowingly.
Dear friends,
You are very lucky,
He said.
You don't have any cows to lose.
This story,
Shared by Thich Nhat Hanh,
About releasing our cows is really about our narrow perception of what really brings us happiness.
And this story reminds us to practice non-attachment in our lives by letting go of our expectations and desires,
Which allows us to discover more content and inner peace.
The story also reminds us that there are many things we often think we need for our happiness,
Such as a new car,
A certain status,
Promotion.
But in reality,
They might bring more stress and responsibility to our lives,
And not greater joy.
Thich Nhat Hanh reveals that many of these things can become traps and burdens,
Deceiving us into believing they are essential for our well-being,
While they actually weigh us down and inhibit our true happiness.
He shares that true happiness is found in freedom,
And when we become attached to material possessions or even ideas,
It is harder to experience genuine joy.
The key question is whether you can learn to let go and create space around you.
Can you actually release attaching to what no longer serves you?
As we come deeper into this practice,
And you find even greater comfort in your position right now,
I'd like you to think of one big idea,
Attachment or cow,
That you have been holding on to.
So just breathe here and think into this moment.
What's one big idea or attachment that you have been holding on to?
I'd ask yourself if it is actually necessary to your well-being and happiness.
And remember,
A cow can be an idea,
Something that you feel you need or take great pride in,
But it's not actually necessary for your true happiness.
Pause and feel in your body,
Into this deep knowing,
Bringing to mind this one idea or attachment that you have been pushing yourself to accomplish or be,
And really feel and notice where it is in your body,
Where there's a tightness,
A holding,
And create the intention to find space here,
To let it go,
To cultivate inner freedom and peace.
And then ask yourself,
Can you consider seeing this in a new way in order to release the grips of attachment?
Can you find a new perspective?
Give yourself permission to allow your breath to deepen,
To help you release the illusion of holding on to something that no longer serves you.
By following a breathing mantra by Thich Nhat Hanh,
And it goes like this,
First exhale all your breath,
And in your mind as you breathe in,
You can say,
Breathing in,
I observe letting go,
Breathing out,
I observe letting go.
So inhaling,
Breathing in,
I observe letting go,
Exhaling,
Breathing out,
I observe letting go.
Now just pause here,
Try that for one or two breaths,
Inhale,
Breathing in,
I observe letting go,
Exhale,
Breathing out,
I observe letting go,
Inhale,
Breathing in,
I observe letting go,
Exhale,
Breathing out,
I observe letting go.
This may resonate with you and you can continue this breath,
Or I have a personal practice that is dear to my heart,
And it is a little simpler,
And it goes like this,
On the inhale,
Just gently reciting in my mind,
Let,
And on the exhale,
Go,
On the inhale,
Let,
And on the exhale,
Go,
On the inhale,
Let,
And on the exhale,
Go.
Breathe here in whichever mantra really resonates with you,
Finding stillness here for five minutes until you hear the sound of the three chimes.
And now gently bring your attention back to your breath,
Feeling and noticing the rise and fall of the breath at the belly,
Take a new deep inhale,
And exhale slowly reawakening your body.
When you're ready,
Slowly begin to open your eyes,
And carry the essence of this meditation with you throughout your day or evening,
Allowing this practice of non-attachment,
Of letting go,
To bring you truer happiness and freedom.
Remember joy and happiness are born from releasing our cows,
From releasing what no longer serves us.
From my heart to yours,
Namaste.
