Welcome.
I invite you to open your mind,
Your heart,
Your arms,
To the awareness of all that is around you and all that is within you.
We are going to spend a few moments to bring our awareness to the forefront of our minds.
To do so,
I'd like you to keep your eyes open and relax your gaze so that you can take in all that is around you.
Allow yourself to engage with your eyes the various contents of the room you are in.
Take in the shapes,
The colors,
The environment that surrounds you.
Let each individual thing you see be without judgment as it comes into your awareness.
Just scan the room and then rest your gaze on one particular thing.
Now gently close your eyes.
Bring your attention to the inhale of your breath.
Allow your breath to be as deep or shallow as it naturally flows.
Gently bring your attention to the exhale of your breath.
This simple process of breathing is what is allowing you to exist in this moment.
Notice how your inhales become exhales and your exhales become inhales.
In a beautiful rhythmic movement,
Your breath is the constant flow that carries you along your journey.
It is as if it is the river of life itself.
Now,
Picture this river.
Now enter the river with the vessel and allow yourself as you sail along the river of life of your breath to experience and sense all that comes along the way.
What kind of vessel do you see?
A simple boat?
A large ship?
A small kayak?
A comfortable raft?
Any way you see it,
It is the representation of you.
You don't need to drive or power it.
All you do need is to steer along the way so that you flow in the direction of wherever it is that you are going.
This journey has taken you to so many places,
With so many people,
And so many experiences.
The buoyant nature of your vessel is enhanced by your feelings of gratitude and appreciation for just being able to float down this exquisite river and to come into contact with all that is present.
Now as you glide along the river,
Notice the thoughts that come up and through your mind.
Some may be uncomfortable.
Some may be enjoyable.
The thoughts that bring discomfort may be familiar,
But please know that they are just one part of the whole experience of life.
They are no more truthful than the thoughts that bring you peace or joy.
All of these thoughts are just individual moments in time,
And it is the perspective we have given each one of them that impacts our experience.
Allow them to come up,
Be as they may,
And accept them as they are.
Right in this moment.
Now allow them to go back out from your grasp and from any desire you may have to hold onto them.
Notice how some of them have hooks,
Such as worry or judgment or blame or resentment.
These hooks are just perspectives along the river of life,
And they can be released when you are ready.
And even if you're not ready,
It is okay to be aware that you can and will be.
Maybe in this moment or the next.
Now I'd like you to bring into your vessel the thought and the feeling of forgiveness,
Of acceptance,
Compassion,
Empathy.
Even if these are just words to you at this particular moment,
Allow yourself to steer your vessel into the heart of the words.
Forgiveness,
Acceptance,
Compassion,
Empathy.
As you connect with the vibration of these words that are truly of the heart,
You will be truly of love.
Your heart remains open.
And now you can open your eyes slowly and allow yourself to come back into the room with your awareness filled in a moment of connection with all that is.
That is your truth.
