Welcome to this daily practice.
Today we'll be taking a moment to practice easing the mind.
So this guided reflection is a simple practice of aligning supportive affirmations with the breaths to cultivate ease and relaxation in mind.
This script is well suited in a variety of settings.
Although you cannot always control the mind,
You can encourage it to be more at ease.
Learning to do this will help you respond rather than react to your thoughts and emotions.
This practice gives you the opportunity to train the mind to slow down when it is overactive and helps you practice ease and relaxation instead of perpetuating those difficult mental states.
You can sit upright or lie down for this practice.
If you are experiencing anxiety or stress in the moment,
Maybe trying to change your posture,
Lying down may encourage relaxation.
So take a few deep breaths now.
Inhaling,
Fill the lungs completely.
Hold the breath for just a second or two and exhale slowly.
As you let the breath go,
Try to empty the lungs slowly and completely,
Recognizing that you cannot control every thought that arises.
So the invitation is to connect with your intention to relax the mind.
So if thoughts are present,
Just leave them be and offer yourself two simple phrases of loving-kindness towards the mind.
May my mind be at ease.
May I be at ease with my mind.
Synchronizing these phrases with your exhale will help you relax deeper into this practice.
May my mind be at ease.
May I be at ease with my mind.
Hear each word and try to connect with your intention to care for the mind.
When the thinking mind starts up,
Come back to the breath and the phrases as we pause here for the next 30 seconds so you can practice.
May my mind be at ease.
May I be at ease with my mind.
And even if you can say only one phrase before the mind wanders off,
You are still moving towards relaxation by continuing to practice.
As we complete this exercise,
Allow your awareness to be open and welcoming in the surroundings and returning to the activity you are doing right now.
Watch the mind during the day noticing when it becomes uncomfortable or agitated and returning back to this practice.
Thank you for taking the time out to practice with me today.
Hope this is a useful tool for your self-explorative journey.
