Welcome,
We're at day six now and today we're going to do a meditation about interconnectedness.
Knowing that all humans,
In fact all of nature is connected,
It can help you feel a part of a larger whole.
Everything we do,
Every action we take affects this larger whole.
So creating peace in your own life has this far reaching result.
And that's why I wanted to share this meditation with you today.
So let's settle in and get comfortable in whatever way that is to you and let's begin.
Begin to connect with the room you're in and start to make that transition from the outer world to your inner being.
Let's start by bringing your awareness to your breath.
Just acknowledge that you're breathing and notice all those sensations that go along with that experience.
How does it feel in your body?
Can you feel your ribs expanding,
Maybe your belly?
Where do you first feel that breath touch your body?
Notice the difference in inhales and exhales and then notice how each breath cycle is just a little bit different than the one before.
Remember we're not trying to control our breath in any way.
We're just allowing that experience to happen,
Just allowing your body to breathe for you and just let go,
Stop thinking about how those sensations arise and just let it be.
Just become aware of this present moment.
Follow that breath for a few cycles,
Not trying to manipulate it or change it in any way at all.
Just letting your body do what it does.
Now let's shift our focus to our bodies and allow your attention to float down to your seat.
Notice how your body feels resting on the surface that you're sitting on and how gravity is just holding your body in place and you can trust that the surface is holding you so you can let go of any thoughts or any worries,
Let go of worries about things that may not ever happen,
Let go of anger,
Of things that may have already occurred.
Just be in the present moment,
No worries,
No anxieties.
All that matters is that you're here right now.
Just let your concerns,
Your stresses just float away.
You don't need to do anything right now,
You just be.
That same trust that allows you to let go of those anxieties also lets you go physically as well.
You know the chair has you so you can just sink into it and melt into it and release all that tension that you've been holding onto physically.
As your body relaxes more and more,
Your mind quiets as well so you can focus on this meditation.
This meditation that I want to share with you really speaks to our interconnectedness.
We as humans are part of a much bigger picture,
We're not separate from each other but instead we're connected both physically and consciously.
It's something that's become even more apparent during these times.
We find this connection in our everyday lives by watching a sunset or taking a walk in nature,
Spending moments with loved ones when everything feels just right.
Sitting comfortably with a beloved companion pet and watching the night sky and feeling a part of something that's much,
Much larger.
And also by meditating with people around the world that are meditating at the same time as you.
People you don't even know will never meet.
And while there's no denying our interconnectedness,
It's important to remember that our life experiences are very different.
We're informed and influenced by all these intersecting privileges and oppressions.
So to truly see another,
We must recognize our different life experiences.
And now I want you to expand your awareness from the surface that you're on,
From the room you're in,
To include the earth below you.
Feel that sense of being held by the earth and just allow yourself to experience it.
Know that you're in a safe space,
That you could breathe in and out with ease in your body and your mind.
Feel how the earth rises up to hold you and embrace you.
There's nothing more you need to do,
Nowhere you need to be and no one you have to be.
Just being held in the heart of kindness and letting it all go.
I want you to bring to mind someone you would hold in this way and reflect on them being held in the same way with safety and with ease of body and mind.
The earth holds all beings,
Whether they're acquaintances or strangers or difficult ones.
The earth holds them with no bias,
No discrimination,
No separation.
Think about how this earth holds all beings,
Whether small or large.
We don't exist in a vacuum.
We're connected to a solar system and a universe that is inconceivably vast.
We're all interconnected,
Our bodies and the earth,
The sun,
The stars.
We're all composed of the same matter,
That same basic particles joined in different ways.
Feel into that sense of connection and interconnection that we're all made of stardust.
Feel that sense of being home within your body and mind with a true sense of belonging and connection.
Now,
Return your attention to your breath for a moment,
Just breathing in and out,
Feeling the grace of the universe,
No isolation,
No separation.
Feeling that sense of connection and interconnection and being at home in your being.
Nothing more you need to do,
Nowhere to go,
Just imperfectly perfect as you are,
Resting in the heart of this universe.
Before we end this meditation,
I want to share this poem with you by Ray Lucero.
It really speaks to our interconnectedness and it goes like this.
Every human being has shared every breath of air ever taken by fellow humans and animal life since the beginning of life on earth.
Likewise,
Every drink of water consumed has also been shared.
Mother nature knows not to waste,
Only to recycle.
Matter cannot be destroyed,
Only changed.
Does this not prove an inextricable connection to all matter in the universe?
So what is there to fight about or over?
To make war on matter in any form is to make war on self.
Alas,
The most neglected emotion that connects human beings is love.
Restoring love of self,
Each other,
And the environment is the key to peace.
Love births a host of other positive emotions and actions such as compassion,
Empathy,
Forgiveness,
Harmony,
And well-being.
Know that evil,
Greed,
And exploitation wither and die when not fed fear,
Guilt,
And other negativity.
Positive change happens when chaos and turmoil are tamed by man making better choices.
As human beings with free will,
Practice making choices that empower your fellows and all shall experience heaven on earth as was meant to be by the spirit that moves in all things.
I hope you enjoyed today's meditation on interconnectedness.
Stay in silent meditation just as long as you wish and when you're ready,
Open your eyes.
