So welcome to today's short practice.
As we begin let's take a few moments to arrive.
So finding a position that feels grounded and easeful.
If you're seated let your spine be upright,
Still relaxed.
If you're lying down let your whole body be supported by the ground beneath you.
You can close your eyes if that feels okay or soften your gaze and take a deep breath in through your nose and a gentle exhale through your mouth.
Again inhale slowly,
Exhale fully and let your body know there's no performance required here.
You can simply be.
Now bring to mind a part of your life where you often feel the need to perform,
To appear a certain way,
To meet certain expectations or to gain acceptance or approval.
Notice what happens in your body as you recall this.
Do you feel tightness in your chest?
Do you feel effort in your shoulders?
Do you feel pressure in your belly?
Now whisper inwardly,
I release the need to perform.
I choose authenticity.
And repeat this slowly with the rhythm of your breath.
I release the need to perform.
I choose authenticity.
Bring your attention to this very moment and ask inwardly,
What is true for me right now?
Maybe the truth is that you feel calm.
Maybe the truth is that you feel restless.
Maybe the truth is simply that you are breathing.
Whatever arises for you,
Let that be enough.
And whisper inwardly,
I honor my truth in this moment.
Now imagine standing in front of a mirror and notice the different masks you wear in daily life.
The achiever,
The helper,
The strong one,
The one who has it all together.
One by one,
Imagine removing these masks.
As each one falls away,
Feel the relief in your body.
Beneath all the masks,
There is simply you.
Raw,
Real and alive.
Breathe into that authenticity.
Whisper softly,
I am enough as I am.
Bring your attention to your heart.
Breathing slowly into that place.
And whisper inwardly,
I live from truth,
Not performance.
Repeating that with each breath,
I live from truth,
Not performance.
Now imagine stepping into your next conversation,
Your next moment,
With this truth in your heart.
How would you sit?
How would you speak?
How would you listen?
Feel this embodiment of authenticity in your body now.
As we come toward a close for today's short practice,
Bring both hands gently to your heart.
And whisper inwardly,
Living authentically is enough.
Take three deep breaths to finish.
Inhaling truth.
Exhaling freedom.
And freedom.
And freedom.
When you're ready,
Bring movement back into your body.
Maybe wiggling your fingers and toes.
Gently opening your eyes.
And carry this reminder with you.
Authenticity is not about outcomes.
It is about the courage to be real in each moment.
