Welcome everyone to this breath meditation.
Breath meditation has been practiced for thousands of years and serves as a common starting point on the journey of meditation.
Breathing is the very first thing we do when we enter this world and it's the last thing we do before we leave it.
Breath is always accessible to us,
It's a wonderful focal point for anchoring our attention in the present moment as it is consistently happening right now.
By allowing your breath to flow comfortably and easily,
This form of meditation can bring relaxation to both the body and the mind.
To begin,
Take a comfortable seat,
Resting your hands in your lap or on your thighs.
Close your eyes gently or lower your gaze.
Take a deep breath in and exhale.
Let it all go.
Now allow the natural rhythm of your breathing to take over.
Just observe your breath for a moment.
Allow your body to soften and your mind to find stillness.
You may notice that your mind tries to manage your breath.
That's okay.
Just continue to breathe and let your body relax.
Your mind will eventually follow.
When you're ready,
Bring your attention to the sensation of breathing.
Perhaps you feel the air flowing in and out of your nostrils.
Or maybe you notice the gentle rise and fall of your belly as you breathe in and out.
If your mind wanders,
Which it will do,
Gently guide your focus back to the sensation of your breath.
Noticing that your mind has wandered and bringing it back to the breath is an important part of meditation that strengthens your concentration.
Remember,
Mind wandering is not game over.
It's game on.
So continue to observe your breath for the next few minutes until you hear the sound of a bell,
Gently redirecting your awareness.
If your mind drifts elsewhere,
Friends,
Take a deep breath in and exhale everything out.
It's now time to bring awareness back into your body and the space around you.
If your eyes were closed,
Slowly open them.
If it feels good,
Take a moment to stretch your body,
Allowing yourself to reconnect with the space around you.
As we end this breath meditation,
Carry the sense of calm and presence with you into your day.
Let each breath be a reminder of the peace that's available to you.
You may choose to engage in this practice daily or revisit it whenever you need to,
Knowing that stillness is but a breath away.
Namaste.
