So just a reminder,
These meditations are intended to be done in the stillness and quiet of a space where you can be still and connect with yourself.
So if you're anywhere that requires your attention,
If you're driving,
Or anywhere that you need to be mindful,
Maybe press pause and come back.
Otherwise,
We'll start with a deep breath in,
And breathe out.
Let it all settle,
And then go ahead and close down your eyes,
Or just stay here with me.
Connect back to the breath,
Breathing in,
And breathing out.
And for a moment,
Begin to bring your mind to a person who you deeply love,
A person who might be going through a difficult time right now.
And start to bring them into your mind's eye,
Seeing your face,
Noticing them,
Almost as if they were seated right in front of you.
And then start to feel into that sense of love.
Now begin to imagine that within your hand,
You are holding a small seed.
Begin to imagine this seed representing that person that you love.
They're not yet sprouted,
Not in bloom yet,
But within that seed is so much potential.
It's full of life,
Full of everything that they need to grow when the conditions are right.
Start to notice if there's any urge to immediately help to make that seed grow.
Start to notice if you're wanting to push it in toward becoming what you think it should become.
Just start to notice those impulses with compassion,
That they're from a place of love,
Even if it's not always helpful.
But begin to imagine yourself placing that seed into the rich,
Dark soil.
You're not burying it,
You're just giving it a place to rest,
To be held,
To do the invisible work that seed does in the darkness.
With each inhale,
Let yourself center,
Start to anchor into this moment.
With each inhale,
Start to send care and love to this person without any agenda for how they should receive it or what they should do with it.
Now,
Start to imagine yourself as this gentle gardener,
Tending to the seed,
Not forcing it to grow,
But letting those conditions be possible.
Perhaps you can water it.
You can protect it from the harsh winds with your acceptance.
You can offer it love with your sunlight.
And then practice the most loving act of all.
Just step back.
Trust that the season is there for them.
Trust that the seed knows when it's time to sprout.
You trust in the natural intelligence of growth and healing that exists within all living things.
You're not the sun,
The rain,
The soil.
You're not responsible for making the seed grow.
You're simply someone who tends with patience,
Who loves without controlling,
Who has faith in the inherent wisdom of these seasons.
You feel into that trust,
Knowing that they will grow.
Stay here for a few more breaths,
Just holding this person in your heart,
Letting it come from a place of complete acceptance,
For them to be exactly where they are right now.
Let your love for them be spacious enough to cover their entire season.
Their struggle,
Their dormancy,
Knowing that spring will come when it's meant to.
Take a deep breath in and breathe out.
Let it all settle.
Then when you're ready,
Slowly begin to flutter your eyes open,
Taking the space around you.
As you go forward this week,
Remember that you can return to this practice anytime that you feel pulled to fix instead of love.
When you have that urge to rush instead of trust,
Or when you need the surrender to the natural wisdom of the seasons.
Go forward this week continuing to love,
Protecting yourself,
And truly caring for the people who need you the most.
We'll end as we began,
With a deep breath in and breathe out.
Let it all settle.
Now,
Go take care of yourself,
And I will see you next week.
