Welcome to this breath awareness meditation.
This practice is designed for anyone looking to connect with their breath,
Whether you're new to meditation or simply want to deepen your connection to this vital aspect of life.
So let's take a few moments to settle in,
Finding a comfortable seated position,
Or you can lie down if you prefer.
If it's comfortable,
Gently close your eyes,
And allow yourself to arrive fully in this moment.
Start by noticing how your body feels.
Feel the weight of your body as it rests against the chair or the floor.
Bring your awareness to your feet,
Your hands,
The way your shoulders feel,
And allow your body to soften and relax into this moment.
Take a deep breath in through your nose,
And slowly exhale through your mouth,
Letting go of any tension.
Now bring your attention to your breath.
Notice the natural rhythm of your breathing without trying to change it,
Just observe.
Notice where you feel the breath the most,
Perhaps in your chest,
Your belly,
Maybe it's the air moving through your nostrils.
Follow the breath as it comes in,
And follow it as it leaves your body,
Allowing yourself to simply be with the breath as it is.
There's nothing to do here,
No need to control.
Just observe or witness the rise and fall of each breath,
Like waves on the shore.
Now begin to deepen your breath slightly,
Inhale slowly through your nose,
Feeling your belly expand,
And exhale gently through your nose,
Letting the air flow out naturally.
Begin gradually deepening your breath,
Inhaling slowly through your nose and filling your belly,
Exhaling gently through your nose,
Allowing the air to flow out naturally.
Continue to follow your breath at your own pace,
And with each inhale,
Imagine you're filling your body with fresh energy,
And with each exhale,
Imagine releasing any tension or stress.
Continue to breathe in this way,
Fully aware of each breath,
Noticing how the breath feels as it enters and leaves your body,
Slightly cooler air coming in,
And slightly warmer air going out.
If your mind begins to wander,
Simply gently bring your focus back to the breath,
Allowing your breath to be the anchor to the present moment,
Allowing your breath,
Your constant companion,
To be a reminder of your connection to life itself.
Notice how with each breath,
You become more centered,
More aware,
The world around you may be busy,
But here in this moment,
You are still,
Calm,
And connected to your breath.
As we come toward the end of this practice,
Take one more deep breath in,
And a slow gentle breath out.
Notice the sense of calm that comes with simply being aware of your breath,
And carry this awareness with you as you move through your day,
Knowing that at any moment,
You can return to this practice,
This simple practice of connecting with your breath.
When you're ready,
And only when you're ready,
Slowly open your eyes,
Returning your awareness to the space around you,
Feeling grounded,
Present,
And calm.
Thank you for sharing this practice with me today.