Welcome.
I'm Lisa and I'll be your guide for this meditation practice.
You're invited to find a posture that feels best for you in this moment.
This practice is derived from Zen master Thich Nhat Hanh.
He shared the greatest gift we can offer to anyone is our presence,
Truly being there for someone that you love.
Although this practice is written in a way to dedicate partners to be together to share this practice,
You can absolutely still practice alone if you're not able to practice with your partner.
Instead,
You may simply bring to mind your partner.
If you are with your partner,
Turn towards your partner whether you're sitting or standing.
Let's take three deep breaths together.
Breathing in.
Breathing out.
Breathing in.
Feeling you're in breath.
Breathing out.
Feeling your exhale.
Breathing in.
Knowing that you're breathing in.
Breathing out.
Knowing that you're breathing out.
And simply resting with your breath here.
You're welcome to close your eyes or keep your eyes open.
In order to care for flowers,
We have to water them.
They also have to see the light.
We have to tend to the soil,
Check the humidity.
Although these are simple acts,
We have to practice them in order for a flower to bloom and thrive.
Thich Nhat Hanh shared with people that they themselves are flowers.
After all,
We're all made up of the similar elements that flowers have.
So you may look to your partner or someone or something that you love deeply and see them as a flower.
They,
Like a flower,
Need your love,
Your care,
And your nourishment to thrive.
You may choose to turn your gaze to your partner,
Taking a deep breath in together,
And let it go.
You're welcome to soften the gaze once again or close down the eyes,
Picturing your partner as a flower.
Perhaps they have a favorite flower or you have a favorite flower that you tend to already or enjoy being by or with.
You can notice when a flower is suffering,
When it starts to perhaps wilt,
Or the soil is dry.
And we can do so with our partners.
We can sense when they are experiencing suffering.
When you feel a sense of suffering in yourself or notice something about your partner or your relationship beginning to suffer,
Pause.
Ask yourself,
Have I watered my flower today?
How have I watered my flower lately?
We may think we know just what our flower needs,
But we might not know exactly what they need.
So look to your flower.
Look to your partner in moments like this.
What support can I offer you?
A flower may know what they need,
Or may not know what they need.
Perhaps a combination of light,
Water,
Change of space,
Temperature,
Humidity.
There are many elements that can impact how a flower interacts with the environment,
Just like our partners.
So many elements that can impact a sense of suffering.
But the most important practice is showing that you are there for your flower.
You are there for your partner.
Your practice here is that you don't have to fix anything.
You don't know what you have to do or what to do.
Practice saying flower,
Or your partner's name.
I am here for you.
I am listening.
I am looking for what you need.
Flower,
I love you.
I am here for you.
I am listening and looking for your needs.
I love you.
And for a few more moments,
We'll simply sit together.
You may come back to your breaths,
A visual of the flower,
Or the awareness of your partner practicing with you.
As we bring this practice to a gentle close,
Let's take a moment to reflect on what you're feeling right now.
There's no need to change anything.
Let's bring a gentle awareness to whatever it is,
If anything.
Taking a deep breath in.
Letting the breath go.
Breathing in.
Knowing that you're breathing in.
Breathing out.
Knowing that you're breathing out.
Breathing in.
Feeling the air travel in.
Breathing out.
Resting in this moment.
After closing this practice,
You may choose to share your experience with your partner by reflecting on some questions.
What am I feeling right now?
How have I been nourishing you in the way that you need?
My flower,
My partner.
What is one way that I can nourish you today,
Tonight,
Or this week?
To close this meditation,
Please thank your partner in whatever way you both feel is supportive.
Welcome home.
Thank you so much for practicing with me.
