Welcome to this meditation that's a celebration of our pets.
Settle into the space where you plan to meditate today.
If you would like to sit in a spot where your pet can be close by or even join you,
Please feel free to go and settle in that space.
Feel grounded and supported by whatever is beneath you,
Whether it is a chair,
The sofa,
Or on the floor next to a pet bed.
Close your eyes or gently lower your gaze.
If you wish to look at your pet instead,
Keep your attention gently focused on them or in their direction.
Take a deep breath in and a long slow exhale out.
One more time.
Take a deep breath in and a long slow exhale out.
You have nothing else to do,
Nowhere else to go,
Except to be here right now thinking about your pet or pets and doing this meditation.
Some people believe that pets offer us unconditional love,
Yet in reality most animals are choosy.
They like some people and not others.
This actually makes the love of our pets more powerful because they are choosing to love us.
In meditation your guides continue to ask and remind you to treat yourself with compassion and acceptance rather than judgment.
Mindfulness calls us to live in the moment and practice gratitude.
These are wonderful qualities in our pets that we can learn from.
When your dog is happy to see you even when you've only been gone a few minutes,
They are living in the present moment and feeling grateful.
When your reptile is basking under their heat lamp or your cat is laying in a sunny patch on the floor,
They are enjoying the warmth in that moment.
Some people report their pets can sense their moods.
The pet may stick closer by when they are sick or feel sad or the pet may get extra excited when they see their human is happy.
This again is a wonderful representation of mindfulness.
Noticing and accepting all emotions and being there with those emotions as they are.
The act of noticing itself is something we can all learn from our pets.
Not tied to electronic devices,
They go on walks and notice every sight and smell.
They notice when you move your furniture a few inches to one side.
If you even think about going to get the leash or the cat carrier,
Your pet notices.
When these acts of noticing feel irritating to you,
Remind yourself you are seeing mindfulness in action.
Our pets embody being in the present moment,
Noticing things on purpose with attention.
Continue to breathe and if your mind has wandered,
Gently bring it back.
Now call to mind your pet or pets.
Imagine you are seeing your pet for the very first time.
What is the first thing you notice about them?
What draws your attention?
What about them tells you that this is the pet you were meant to have?
Think about the color of your pet.
What kinds of shades and patterns do you see?
What color are their eyes?
What are the markings on your pet that makes them unique?
Think about how your pet sounds,
Their chirps,
Sparks and purrs,
The rhythm of their body as they breathe in sleep,
The rise and fall of their breath,
Their little snores,
The jingle of their collars,
The crunching of them eating their food.
Think about how your pet feels,
The softness of their fur,
Smoothness of their skin,
Their wet nose,
The lightness of their feathers,
Their beautiful smooth scales.
As you continue to breathe,
Send gratitude to your pet for their impact on your life.
May your bond with your pet continue to deepen and grow,
Bringing endless joy and companionship into your life.
You are perfect,
You are powerful and you are privileged to be able to share your life with a pet.
Take one final deep breath in and a gentle breath out and return to your space.
Namaste.
