Stillness is not just the absence of movement or noise,
But rather an internal state of being.
It lives at our centers.
For stillness to be felt,
We must only surrender to it and take the time to intentionally connect with it every day.
In this meditation,
We will disconnect from our ever-constant stream of thoughts and instead look inward to connect with who we are at our core.
Start by finding a comfortable place to sit or lay down.
Close your eyes and soften into your space.
Bring your attention to your breathing.
On your inhale,
Feel your breath travel down to your lower belly,
Expanding and filling the space.
On your exhale,
Let your belly fall as you release all the air through your open mouth.
Again,
Inhale,
Feel your belly expand and exhale,
Feel your belly empty.
Exhale,
Belly rise,
Exhale,
Belly fall.
Notice how your body relaxes more with every breath out.
On your next exhale,
Relax all your muscles in your face.
Relax your brow,
Unclench your jaw and soften your mouth.
Bring that softness down into your neck and into your shoulders.
Let your arms and your hands and your fingers relax.
Inhale,
Belly rise.
Exhale,
Belly fall.
Relax your chest and your ribcage.
Soften more into your space with every breath.
Bring your awareness to your belly.
Inhale,
Feel your belly expand and exhale,
Feel your belly empty.
Feel your breath move into your thighs and into your calves.
Relax your ankles,
Your feet and your toes.
Notice if there's any tension left in your body.
If so,
Ease your breath into those areas,
Releasing any stiffness.
As you stay here in this relaxed state,
Disconnect from any thoughts that are still weighing on you,
Free your body,
Mind and spirit of any worries that may be trying to take resident within you.
See them leaving your body and dissolving away.
Try instead to just be present in this moment.
While stillness lives within each of us,
It may take time and practice to call upon it easily,
But there are certain places,
Things and even sounds that may help you reconnect with it.
You might feel stillness when sitting in nature with your bare feet in the grass,
Watching the branches of a tree sway in the breeze.
Stillness may arise when simply gazing at the flame of a candle.
Seeing the flickering of the light may bring tranquility and peace to your mind.
Maybe it's the sound of rain on your roof or the crashing waves of the ocean at your window.
Hearing their melodies may calm and relax your spirit.
It could be that working with your hands to create art brings the feeling of stillness.
With each brushstroke,
With each layer or color added,
You may feel more centered.
And even still,
Maybe movement is what ultimately brings you to stillness.
Maybe through dance or yoga,
You are able to align your body with your spirit and it brings overflowing joy and unity to the core of your being.
What is it or where is it that you most connect with your stillness?
Visualize that you are there now.
What do you see?
What do you hear?
Recognize how you feel in this moment.
Observe any sensations in your body.
Sit here and breathe in your stillness.
While resting in your stillness,
Visualize a bright ball of light within your heart center.
It can be any color that you'd like.
With every breath in,
The light grows and expands.
See it as it grows and completely fills your chest.
It expands and travels across your shoulders,
Down into your arms and into your hands and fingers.
Breathe in and see the light fill your abdomen.
See as it moves down into your hips,
Soaks into your thighs,
Into your knees and calves.
See as it fills your ankles,
Your feet and your toes.
Take another breath in and watch as the bright light travels up your throat,
Into your face and all the way to the crown of your head.
See as it shines out through your crown,
Reaching out towards the heavens.
Ask here,
In this moment,
In this connection.
Ask in this light and in your stillness.
Slowly bring your awareness back into your body.
Bring a gentle smile to your face.
Lastly,
Place your hands on your heart and thank yourself for being here.
Thank yourself for taking the time to quiet your mind and connect with the stillness of your being.
I hope you return often to your stillness.
Return inward to the feelings of peace and clarity so that you can live a life in a more present state of mind.
