Hi,
This is Pod McGordon and I want to talk to you about commitment and what it means to make a commitment to ourselves or to our work or simply to being fully enrolled in our lives.
It's a big deal.
It's a big deal to stand in our commitment to showing up to everything that being human asks of us.
Even when things are going well and we have our health and we have people that we love in our lives and somehow through grace we have meaningful work,
Life can still be challenging.
I notice that I am tested on a regular basis.
Tested as to what am I really committed to?
What am I truly aligned with?
So these are the questions that I am posing and I would like to lead you in a meditation to discover some of the answers to these questions for yourself.
So I am inviting you to find a comfortable place to sit,
To step away from everything that you have been doing and push the pause button on all the things that you will be doing so that you can give all of your attention to yourself and to really inquire deeply as to what are you committed to?
So beginning with some really nice deep breaths.
Big breath and relaxed exhale.
Just breathing in and out.
Letting go and surrendering to a deeper knowing.
Listening to the spaces between my words.
As the body begins to relax and let go,
The mind follows suit and it begins to relax and let go.
That's right.
And then putting your attention on the back side of your body,
Whether you're lying down or sitting up.
Just sense into your back body.
And even as you begin to relax,
You're making a commitment by placing your attention specifically,
Precisely,
Committing to focusing.
And just noticing if the mind wants to wander and gently,
Gently bringing it back,
Bringing it back.
Returning to your breath.
That's right.
Because when we choose to make a commitment,
It can be very useful to commit with all of ourselves,
Because if some part of us is resistant or held out in reserve,
It can sabotage.
So just noticing what it is to commit to this breath.
Committing with all of your attention.
To this breath.
So simple.
And yet it takes practice.
And the good news is that each time we do it,
We're laying down tracks.
We're creating new pathways inside of our brains and our bodies.
The pathway of commitment.
Committing right now to noticing your breath.
Very simply noticing the breath.
That's right.
And opening your attention.
Opening your attention to sense the space above you and below you.
And filling out that space with your awareness.
And then just asking yourself the question,
What am I committed to?
What am I committed to?
Pausing.
Just allowing a response to bubble up from inside.
That's right.
That's right.
That's right.
And receiving.
Receiving the response.
What I mean by receiving the response to the question is to just allow it to appear and then sink in just like when we water plants.
The water sinks into the soil.
Dropping down and down so it can nourish the roots.
So each time we ask ourselves the question,
What am I committed to?
What am I committed to?
And just noticing.
Committed to your health,
Your wealth,
Your relationships,
Your work.
Just notice what arises and then receive it.
Asking the question again,
What am I committed to?
What am I committed to?
You might be surprised by the answer that bubbles up.
And just receiving that.
Because each time you do this practice,
You're learning to trust yourself more fully.
Trusting the response that arises when you ask yourself a question such as what am I committed to?
Pausing to receive the response.
And as you do this in your life,
It will get easier and easier.
There will be more trust,
Deeper clarity,
And expanded receptivity.
Expanding your capacity to receive yourself and trust,
Trust your deepest listening.
So every time you do this meditation,
You're laying down those tracks for trusting yourself and being able to discern from moment to moment what you're committed to.
So taking some breaths and allowing yourself to perhaps wiggle your fingers and toes.
And as you're ready,
Opening the eyes and coming back,
Feeling refreshed,
Revitalized,
Refreshed,
Revitalized,
And at peace.
So it is.
