Not only are we in the universe,
But the universe is in us.
I don't know of any deeper spiritual feeling than what that brings upon me.
Said by Neil deGrasse Tyson.
Hello and welcome again to another session of Nirvana with Nav.
Today's meditation is going to be a practice to help us reconnect with nature.
Our body's connection to the natural world.
I think the beautiful thing about getting lost in nature is that it diffuses stress and anxiety by reminding us that things aren't permanent.
Things are not meant to be perfect and that the universal experience is not personal.
So what we'll do today is get to know our bodies through common experiences that we might take for granted on a daily basis.
And by taking this first step of feeling these experiences,
May they connect us more deeply and strengthen our relationship with nature.
So with that gentle introduction,
Let us begin.
Before we begin,
Let's just take a moment to check in with what our body needs today.
Although meditations are traditionally done sitting down,
Notice if your body might be feeling a little bit drained or fatigued.
If so,
You might want to try this meditation lying down.
Contrastingly,
If you're feeling a little bit restless,
You can always try this meditation standing up.
Find a posture that brings your body comfort and ease.
Doing so,
So that the mind can follow you to that place of comfort and ease.
Once you have found that posture,
Based on how your body feels today,
You may choose to keep your eyes slightly open or closed,
If that's what you prefer.
And let's take a moment here to bring our awareness to the earth element,
Typically associated with stability,
Groundedness,
And being rooted.
Maybe noticing the hardness or softness under your body.
It could be your feet in contact with the ground.
It could be the seat beneath you.
Feel that sense of stillness and density within your body supporting you.
For many of us,
This is the element where we find our anchor.
It's where we come back to again and again,
Tuning into the earth element within our body,
Noticing stillness,
Density,
And weight.
The poet Rumi said that the earth's generosity takes in our compost and grows beauty.
Try to be more like earth.
So whenever you go throughout your day and you begin to feel a little bit unstable,
Ungrounded,
Remember that you are the earth.
Ground down,
Give,
Build,
Heal.
That is the element of earth.
And just take a few moments here to tune in with the earth element.
Feel your being.
Experience that connectedness and that inner richness.
As you continue to meditate,
Can you bring your awareness to the wind element?
Maybe sensing the breath coming in and going out.
Maybe resting your hand on your belly and feeling pressure as you feel your belly press out on your inhale and the way that it eases back towards the spine as you exhale.
The element of wind brings with it the rhythm of expansion and contraction as it moves throughout your body.
Just notice if you can feel this dance between your still body and your moving breath.
The wind element brings with it qualities of inspiration,
Change,
And movement.
As you tune into it,
Can you feel the breath flow in and out?
Can you feel the air feeding the body with oxygen and life?
Bruce Lee once said,
Notice the stiffest trees are most easily cracked,
While the bamboo or willow survives by bending with the wind.
Let your breath flow naturally in and out.
Find that rhythm,
Find that dance that allows your body to feel comfort and ease.
Tuning into the wind element,
Remember that you are the wind.
Observe,
Breathe,
Focus,
And guide.
Continuing with our meditation,
Begin to shift your awareness towards the fire element,
Known for its passion,
Vitality,
And expansion.
Can you feel the quality of your heat?
Can you feel the temperature of your body?
As human beings,
We naturally have warm bodies.
Can you feel and experience that element of fire within you?
How the body can warm itself up?
Let your inner fire burn bright,
And have the passion that sets the world on fire.
Exude love as naturally as the sun gives out heat.
Tuning in to the fire element,
Remember that you are fire.
Burn,
Tame,
Adapt,
Ignite.
Increase your vitality and passion for life by letting what you love guide you.
Continuing to breathe,
Continuing to connect with the earth,
Continuing to feel your inner fire.
And as you do so,
Can you bring your awareness towards the water element,
Known for flow,
Flexibility,
And ease.
As human beings,
Most of our bodies are made up of water,
From our saliva to our tears.
We are dependent on water to support digestion,
To lubricate our joints,
And to move toxins through our body.
Just take a moment to appreciate that element of water within you,
That liquid that keeps you vital,
That cleansing water that can transform judgment and rejection into acceptance.
As Alan Watts once said,
You didn't come into this world,
You came out of it,
Like a wave on the ocean.
Tuning in with the water element,
Remember that you are water.
Cry,
Cleanse,
Flow,
Let go.
And just shifting your awareness to the last element,
Space.
Known for its openness,
All-inclusiveness,
And all-encompassing nature.
Space is our whole body and all its elements.
The earth that we sit on and that supports us.
The movement of breath that gently guides us forward.
Our naturally warm bodies and the fluidity that reminds us of impermanence and change.
Just taking a moment to appreciate the many sensations of being alive and feeling.
To embrace uncertainty and not knowing.
And the space to open up to the true unlimited potential of yourself.
Eckhart Tolle said,
A great silence holds all of nature in its embrace.
And that silent space also holds you.
Connecting with space,
Connecting with your spirit,
Remember that you are space.
Connect,
Listen,
Know,
And be still.
Connect with your spirit,
Listen to your body.
Know the universe and be still in the present moment.
No need to overthink what sensation is attached to which element.
All you need is to feel to become a part of this natural world.
And with your next breath in,
Begin to bring your awareness back into your room.
Back into your space and back into your body.
Just reorienting with the environment around you.
Maybe gently turning your head to the right as you inhale and towards the left as you exhale.
Just allowing yourself to become familiar with your surroundings once more.
And remember that this practice is available for you to use whenever you need to reconnect with the flow of the natural world.
Whenever you need a reminder that you are not alone.
We are all more deeply connected than you can ever begin to imagine.
And this is a great practice to explore while you're outside.
To notice how these natural elements of earth,
Wind,
Fire,
Water,
And space exist both within us and outside of us.
I hope this meditation helped you reconnect with yourself.
And maybe reconnect with the natural world a little bit more.
Too often our daily lives separate us from who we are.
And I hope this meditation helped lead you to a greater sense of connection.
Both within you and hopefully with other people.
I hope you enjoyed our session and I look forward to our next one together.
