Hi,
This is Lorraine.
Today we get to meditate about a topic and a feeling and a situation that's really important to each and every single living thing on this planet.
That might sound big,
But it's also wonderfully simple.
And the topic is peace.
We might hear a lot about it or think a lot about it,
So let's invite it in to our meditation practice today.
There's a reminder that we're all connected and we can't truly be at peace until all beings everywhere can experience peace.
So let's allow it to be something that we can feel and align with and hopefully allow it to move beyond us and into our world.
So come to a place where you feel grounded and fully supported.
So your physical body is a place to really settle.
You might have a comfortable seat or a posture that allows you to lay on the ground.
You can shift if there's any noticeable discomfort so that the physical body has some room to rest and actually connect you with the sensations that bring you a sense of calm.
You might roll your shoulders down your back.
You're welcome to shift through your posture.
And if it ever becomes uncomfortable,
You can continue to find a place that's a little steadier.
Once you feel the support in your physical meditative posture,
Take a breath.
There's a natural upliftment of an inhale and a settling with each exhale.
So that if things feel particularly heavy,
It can be helpful to take a sigh through your exhale.
It's something that your body kind of naturally does when there's tension or fatigue or overwhelm.
It searches for a bigger place to downregulate or to just release what it's been holding on to.
So you're welcome to try it.
Using your breath to settle.
Bring your awareness to your eyes.
Perhaps they're closed or they find a soft gaze.
Can you relax through your jaw?
Perhaps settle into your shoulders and rest into the physical posture of today's meditation.
Your breath will be there as an anchor.
And if your brain starts to wander off,
Just come back to your physical sensation of an inhale and a subtle upliftment.
And that natural settling that comes from a mindful exhale.
Let your hands rest.
Perhaps they're clasped together or they can rest on your thighs.
Perhaps you place them on your heart.
And here we are sitting with room to notice and to feel.
Is there a connection to quiet?
Even if there's sound happening around you.
In this moment,
You become the eye of the storm.
Things can be swirling,
But you sit calm and steady.
You breathe and you anchor to this place.
You're welcome to feel what you feel without judgment.
When we think about peace or try and connect to it,
We might notice the places where it does not exist.
And that's okay.
It gives us room to remember why we're here and what we're cultivating.
So begin with feeling a physical sense of steady ease.
And maybe you can formulate what it means for you personally to experience peace.
It's easy for it to feel fleeting.
Other times it can envelop you and hold you.
Is it a sense of calm?
Perhaps it's ease or connection or safety.
Can you cultivate that in your meditation here and now?
Remembering that whatever arises is perfectly fine.
You have the space to hold it.
You've got a good anchor in your breath and in your posture.
Still the eye of the storm.
And sometimes the storm creeps over and shifts and moves until it fully passes or breaks up,
Changes.
And you're still here weathering all of it.
Come back to the comfort that's in your own two hands,
Wherever they're resting or holding.
Can you feel movement of your own breath?
Consistent,
Steady,
Even peaceful.
Now take a moment to use this practice to send calm and peace to those that you love.
And those that you don't even know.
It's the intention of all of us remembering that we're connected to one another and that your peace affects me,
Affects those who resemble you,
And those who are completely different from you.
We share so many commonalities.
Moving breath,
Beating hearts.
We're here to use what we've got to come together.
We're here to remember that there's enough peace for all of us to share.
And if you feel it,
I feel it.
It's in our best interest that all beings everywhere experience peace and calm,
Comfort and love.
There will be moments when we feel the opposite and that's okay.
Because underneath it there is a sense of safety and peace.
Can you feel yourself take another full breath?
That down-regulating and settling with the breath out is there and you can trust that your inhale will fill you back up again so that you have the energy that you need to share what you feel and allow it to move beyond the walls of your skin,
Beyond the time and the space of this meditation.
And healing energy goes where it needs to go.
And we can commit to working toward that with deliberate energy and with clear intention.
Let your hands relax.
Continue to feel the sensations of your posture.
If your eyes are closed you can blink them open or just lift your gaze.
Take in the light,
The shapes,
The color,
The clarity and take all of this with you for the benefit of all beings everywhere.
Be well and share peace.
I look forward to seeing you next time.
