A warm welcome to you.
During this meditation we shall explore what stands in the way of you and your own deep and enduring sense of inner happiness.
If you are like most of us you probably tell yourself that you will be happy when you arrive at a certain point in the future.
You will be happy when you find love,
Lose a few pounds,
Get fit,
Go on a holiday,
Get that new job or finish that project.
Or perhaps you tell yourself you'll be happy when life feels less busy.
Social and cultural conditioning also contributes to this way of understanding our own happiness.
When we succumb to the idea that happiness is just around the corner it takes away our power to be happy with the life that is ours right here,
Right now.
Our thoughts and energy become focused on the future.
We find ourselves planning,
Wishing,
Wanting and hoping.
This in turn contributes to a low-level sense of anticipation and unease as our happiness is contingent on things that are largely out of our influence and control.
So during today's practice we shall learn to cultivate a present moment experience of happiness.
A happiness that lives within our bodies,
Minds and hearts today,
Not tomorrow.
So let us begin our practice now by settling into a comfortable position.
Closing down your eyes if you like and drawing your awareness to your breath,
To this gentle life force that exists within us all.
Noticing the air as it enters your nose,
Noticing the air as it leaves your mouth,
Noticing the gentle rise and fall of your chest as you breathe,
Noticing the soft expanse of your belly as the air flows in and out,
Drawing your awareness now to your exhale and if you can just lengthening it a little,
Long and smooth,
Perhaps you can hear the air as it leaves your mouth,
Noticing that each time you exhale your body naturally lets go,
Letting go across your eyes inviting a softening there,
Letting go of any tension across your jaw within your mouth,
Letting go now across your shoulders allowing them to drop a little,
Letting go of tension in your belly,
Resting here in this sense of letting go,
This sense of progressive relaxation,
And as you let go noticing how the ground rises up to receive your weight,
Here in this moment you are being held,
Here in this moment you are safe,
You are free from harm,
Resting here,
Now I invite you to think about some of the ideas you are holding on to for your happiness,
Perhaps it's the idea that financial security or finding a soulmate will make you happy,
Or is it the idea that losing a few pounds or going on that next holiday will be the turning point for you,
The moment that enables you to experience happiness,
Perhaps you tell yourself you'll be happy when life isn't so busy,
When your kids are older,
When you have a better job,
Just resting here in this reflection for a moment or two,
No need to analyse or to judge,
Just being open and curious,
Allowing these ideas you hold about your happiness to move in and out of your awareness,
Much like clouds move across the summer sky,
Now I invite you to hold one of these ideas in your mind's eye,
I would like you to imagine that this idea you are holding on to for your happiness has actually come true,
Perhaps you can see yourself with your soulmate,
Perhaps you can see yourself on that holiday you are dreaming about or in your new job,
Taking a moment to picture yourself in this situation now and exploring what this happiness feels like for you,
Perhaps you are smiling in this image,
Perhaps you notice a sense of relaxation,
A sense of contentment,
Maybe you notice a sense of achievement or of relief,
Maybe you feel peaceful,
Warm,
Vibrant or alive,
Just resting here in this felt sense of happiness,
Breathing into this imagined sense of happiness for a moment or two,
Now can you allow this imagined sense of happiness to meet you here today in this very moment,
Inviting this happiness into your present moment experience,
With the aid of your breath,
Allowing this sense of happiness to settle over you,
Noticing its warmth,
The sense of peace and relaxation it brings,
With each breath can you allow this sense of present happiness to sink a little deeper,
Sinking into your mind,
Body and heart,
Sinking into your entire being,
Here in this moment you are happy,
Here in this moment you deserve happiness,
A deep and enduring sense of fulfillment,
Resting here in this present moment experience of happiness,
Of peace,
Of contentment,
Returning your awareness now to your exhale,
As the stale air leaves your body,
Can you also allow these old ideas you had about your happiness being linked to a time in the future to leave your body,
Mind and heart,
With each out breath these ideas that no longer serve you are leaving you,
Now you are free,
Free to be happy in this moment,
Repeating these phrases silently in your mind,
I deserve happiness,
I deserve fulfillment,
I choose happiness today,
Breathing into these sentiments,
Really allowing them to feel true for you in this moment,
When you are ready slowly offering your body any gentle movements it desires,
And bringing your awareness back into the space you are in,
May you move through your days with a sense of happiness and peace,
