Thank you for joining us at Mindful Beats,
A unique mix of music and mindfulness.
A place where sounds are used to collect our thoughts and bring our attention back to the present moment.
A moment of peace and rest.
Take this time to experience a way of paying attention,
As best you can bringing your awareness to the sensations of your body and the sounds of the music.
It has been shown that people who practice mindfulness are more likely to be compassionate to those around them.
I believe this is because you have taken the time to slow down,
Allowing yourself to be more present with others.
But maybe it's simply because you have first been compassionate and kinder with yourself.
I think we can agree that compassion is sometimes lacking in our world.
Position yourself in a comfortable posture,
Ideally sitting with your back straight,
But in any position that allows you to breathe easily and remain relaxed throughout the session.
Bringing your awareness to the pressure of your body through the surface you are sitting on,
The points of contact,
Noticing these physical sensations.
When you are ready,
Gently closing your eyes,
Listening to the beat of the drum,
Bringing your awareness to the slow and regular rhythm.
Let's use this rhythm to take a series of deep breaths,
Bringing your attention to the sensation of the air going in and out of your lungs.
As best you can,
Follow the inward breath and the outward breath,
Just noticing the movement of your stomach and chest.
And then perhaps using the beat as our anchor,
Breathing in to the count of six,
And then breathing out to the count of six.
As you breathe in,
Out,
In,
Out,
In,
Out,
In,
Out.
Allow your breathing to return to a comfortable rhythm,
Its own state of rest and natural relaxation.
You may notice the sound of the glockenspiel.
You may choose to shift your attention onto this instrument.
The glockenspiel can remain your anchor of focus at the beginning and at the end of the song.
The song will build and change as other instruments are introduced.
Take some time noticing these different instruments.
If your mind wanders,
Or if other thoughts interrupt your focus,
Simply acknowledge these thoughts where your mind has gone,
Then put them aside and gently bring your attention back to the sounds of the song.
Perhaps you may pick an instrument to focus on.
Does it have a repetitive rhythm?
How does it interact with other instruments?
Perhaps building a picture of someone playing the instrument that you choose.
Perhaps you may pick an instrument to focus on.
Does it have a repetitive rhythm?
How is it interacting with the other instruments?
Perhaps building a picture in your mind of someone playing the instrument you choose.
Does it have a repetitive rhythm?
Perhaps you may pick an instrument to focus on.
Does it have a repetitive rhythm?
Perhaps building a picture of someone playing the instrument you choose.
Does it have a repetitive rhythm?
Perhaps you may pick an instrument to focus on.
Does it have a repetitive rhythm?
Perhaps you may pick an instrument to focus on.
Does it have a repetitive rhythm?
Does it have a repetitive rhythm?
Does it have a repetitive rhythm?
Does it have a repetitive rhythm?
Does it have a repetitive rhythm?
Does it have a repetitive rhythm?
Does it have a repetitive rhythm?
Does it have a repetitive rhythm?
Does it have a repetitive rhythm?
Does it have a repetitive rhythm?
Does it have a repetitive rhythm?
Does it have a repetitive rhythm?
Does it have a repetitive rhythm?
Does it have a repetitive rhythm?
Does it have a repetitive rhythm?
Does it have a repetitive rhythm?
Bringing your awareness back to the sound of the glockenspiel.
Gently reconnecting with the sound of the instrument as the song slowly comes to its conclusion.
To finish up,
I invite you to take two deep breaths to the rhythm of the drum beat,
Focusing on the sensation of these breaths.
We will continue to use the count of six.
In.
Out.
In.
Out.
How are you feeling in this moment?
Right now.
The more we practice mindfulness,
The more likely we are to remain in this grounded feeling.
This allows us to think clearly,
To listen to others,
To be compassionate with those around us.
Perhaps there is someone in your life who needs some of your compassion and support today.
Take a moment to think about how you could help them out.
Maybe it's as simple as making them a cup of tea,
Or even more simply,
Going out of your way to say hello and smile to someone.
When you are ready,
And with a relaxed smile,
Gently open your eyes.
Slowly reorientate yourself to the environment around you.
Thank you for joining us at Mindful Beats.
Thank you for taking the time to look after yourself,
To be compassionate with yourself,
To be compassionate with others.
I hope we can practice the power of mindfulness together again soon.
Goodbye.
