Sometimes it feels like the storms of life are going to sweep us away.
Sometimes we need a place where we can rest,
Even if just for a few moments.
Somewhere we can rest,
Breathe,
Reset,
Connect with ourselves.
While the chaos and confusion swirls all around.
And this is so important because life's storms are inevitable.
Life can be wonderful,
It can be mundane,
And it can be absolutely awful.
Very stormy.
So it's useful to have a practice that supports calm.
Even if just for a moment.
That allows us some respite,
Even if just for a moment.
That allows us to experience stillness,
Even if just for a moment,
When we're in the eye of the storm.
This place of inner calm and stillness is possible.
So even when it really goes down.
And thoughts swirl all around you.
Feelings lurch from right to left and it's difficult to get a handle on.
On a way forward on the next step.
On how to look after yourself and others.
You can still use the breath.
You can still sit in practice.
And experience a moment of calm and stillness.
While the storm rages and eventually passes as they always do.
Eventually.
So in this meditation we're going to practice finding calm.
We're going to practice finding calm in the midst of chaos.
Very strong emotions and stressful situations because we all find ourselves in those situations from time to time.
We wouldn't be alive if we didn't.
So find a comfortable position.
You might like to sit upright,
Straight back,
Soft belly.
But you can also lie down or sit with a back support.
Make sure that you're comfortable and ideally have your feet on the ground.
Gently closing the eyes.
Noticing the in-breath and the out-breath.
On each out-breath seeing if you can soften.
The brow.
Move the jaw.
Shoulders.
Feeling inside the shoulders and imagining the shoulders as ice to water,
Water to gas.
Allowing them to drop away from the ears.
Put the bags down for a minute.
Let your body sink deeper into the surface you're resting on.
With each out-breath.
Letting go.
Letting go.
No effort required with the breath,
The body knows how to breathe.
If ever you need a quick SOS,
Calm in the chaos.
Noticing the breath.
Is a wonderful way to come back.
To withdraw,
Even if just for a moment.
Where do you feel the sensation of the breath right now?
Is it the nose?
Chest,
Belly?
Wherever you feel it most strongly,
Focus your attention there.
Noticing the in and the out.
If anything comes up,
Fears,
Worries,
Stress.
When you notice.
Gently come back to the breath,
At the point in the body where you feel it the most.
The lifelong practice of letting the breath anchor you in the present moment.
Letting go.
Letting go.
Letting the breath connect you to that place deep inside yourself.
Visualising now,
Bringing to life in your mind's eye,
A storm swirling around you.
Perhaps linked to a difficult situation that you are or have experienced.
The rain fierce,
Stinging your face.
The wind strong,
Too strong to walk forward.
But in the centre,
In the eye of the storm,
Where you are,
There's a place that's calm and still.
There's always a place of rest and respite in you.
And you can access it at any time using the breath.
Noticing the in and the out.
Aware of whatever thoughts,
Feelings or sensations arise.
Not reacting or judging,
Just noticing.
The storm is battering,
Constantly moving and changing.
Ferocious.
And you acknowledge that,
You're not seeking to cover over or deny.
The storm is there,
But inside you there's a place of calm.
That you can access by noticing the breath.
Not seeking to make things better or to change anything.
Just connecting.
No matter how intense the storm gets,
You're safe here.
Resting with the breath.
You're safe here.
And when the mind wanders,
As of course it does,
It will.
When the mind gets swept away by the storm,
Strong emotions,
Thoughts,
Don't fight.
Notice that the mind is in the storm,
Because the storm is real.
And then bring your attention back to the breath gently.
Back to the calm,
Quiet I in you.
Moment by moment.
A lifelong practice.
Oh so valuable.
Remembering that all storms pass.
Remembering that all storms pass.
Coming back to this space around you slowly and gently when you're ready.
And thank you so much for practicing with me today.
