Welcome.
As you make yourself comfortable in a seated position,
Please close your eyes and take a deep breath in through your nose and release through your mouth,
Releasing any tension that may be in your body.
Again,
Take a deep breath in through your nose and release everything as you exhale and relax into your body.
Take this moment now to stop doing and just be,
To stop thinking and just be,
To stop planning and just be.
Follow your breath,
The sensation of air as it glides in and out of your body,
Allowing yourself to be here now.
A senior monk and a junior monk were traveling together.
At one point,
They came to a river with a strong current.
As the monks were preparing to cross the river,
They saw a woman also attempting to cross.
The young woman asked if they could help her cross the other side.
The two monks glanced at one another because they had taken vows not to touch a woman.
Then,
Without a word,
The older monk picked up the woman,
Carried her across the river,
Placed her gently on the other side,
And carried on his journey.
The younger monk couldn't believe what had just happened.
After rejoining his companion,
He was speechless,
And an hour passed without a word between them.
Two hours passed,
Then three.
Finally,
The younger monk could not contain himself any longer and blurted out,
As monks,
We are not permitted a woman.
How could you then carry that woman on your shoulders?
The older monk looked at him and replied,
Brother,
I set her down on the other side of the river.
Why are you still carrying her?
Sometimes you need to remember that these mountains you are carrying,
You were only meant to climb.
That letting go is often an act of far greater power than holding on.
When you let go of what you are,
Of what you have been,
Of those bags of burden dragging you down in the name of pride or love,
Power or hurt,
You create space for what may be.
An unfolding,
A blossoming,
A flowering of life.
Let's take a moment to shed our old skin.
As you inhale,
Imagine the past,
Your pain,
Your fears,
Like chain tied to your wrist.
And as you exhale,
Ever so gently,
Those chains disintegrate into nothing,
Setting you free.
You lift your arms to the heavens,
Rejoicing in your newfound freedom,
As you step ever so gently into the flowing stream of life,
Knowing that at times discomfort will arise,
The waters may be wild,
But you will be unwavering in your faith,
Trusting the paths that forth for you,
Shedding old skin over and over again,
Dropping any bags of burden holding you back,
Trusting the good in goodbye.
Continue to follow your breath as it moves in and out,
Releasing any thoughts and any tension that may arise.
May you have a beautiful and meaningful day.
