CMR - Affectionate Breathing - 9 Minutes

A gentle 9-minute, affectionate breathing meditation that helps listeners settle the body and mind through mindful breath awareness, supportive touch, and a warm, caring attitude toward themselves. This guided practice invites noticing the body, releasing tension, placing a hand on the heart or another comforting area, and allowing the natural rhythm of breathing to become soothing, steadying, and kind.

Transcript

The affectionate breathing practice. So taking a little time to find a posture. In which your body feels comfortable and supported for the next 10 minutes or so. So just taking a little time. And then when you are ready, Letting your eyes gently close. You may keep them open if you wish with a soft gaze. And then taking a few slow, Easy breaths. Just noticing what it feels like. To release any tension from your body. And if you wish to, You can place a hand or both hands. Of your heart or any other place in your body that feels soothing. And acts as a reminder. That we're bringing not only our awareness, But our affectionate awareness to our breathing. And to ourselves. And you can leave your hand or hands there. For as long as you wish, Or bring them down to rest at any time. And starting to notice the breathing. In your body. Just feeling the breath coming in. And the breath going out. Of your body. So just sensing into that ebb and flow. Of your breath. Right now. And as you pay attention to your breathing, You may notice how your body is nourished on the in-breath. And relaxes on the out-breath. Nourished on the in-breath relaxes on the out-breath. And simply allowing your body to breathe. There is nothing you need to do. Just noticing. The rhythm of your breathing. Flowing in and flowing out. Just taking some time to feel the rhythm. Of your breathing. Perhaps inclining your attention towards your breathing. As you might. To a beloved child or dear friend? Feeling your whole body. Subtly moving with the breath. Just gently noticing. How that feels like. Perhaps sensing into the movement. Just like the sea. The ebb and flow of gentle waves lapping on a seashore. Nothing to do but sensing that movement. And all the while your mind will naturally wander. Like a curious child or a little puppy. And when that happens, Just gently returning to the rhythm of your breathing. Just feeling into those sensations, The ebb and the flow. And if you notice there is a sense of watching your breath See if you can let that go. And just be with your breath. Feeling it. Sensing into the experience. Allowing your whole body to be gently rocked and caressed. Internally caressed. By your breathing. Just feeling into those soothing sensations. Your internal rocking chair. Just easing back and forth. So just giving yourself over to your breathing. Just breathing. So this breath. And this one. Just being. Breathing. And now gently releasing your attention to your breathing. And sitting quietly in your own experience. Just allowing yourself to feel whatever you are feeling. And to be just as you are. Just as you are right now. However that is. And then when you're ready. Next time you breathe out. Slowly bringing your hand down. From your chest. Perhaps blinking open your eyes if they've been closed. Rolling your shoulders, Having a stretch. And just noticing how you feel right now. Thank you.