Thank you for meditating today.
Today we're focusing on easing anxiety in ourselves and in our pets.
When we are calm,
Our pets are able to be calm.
They sense when we're stressed or when we're feeling anxious about something that's happening,
When we feel grief or sadness,
And they sense when we feel happiness.
And so in helping ourselves feel relaxed and clearing our mind of the clutter,
Our pets are able to feel relaxed too because they pick up their signals from us.
So take a moment and find a comfortable seat,
Somewhere that's accessible to your pet,
Whether it's a dog or a cat,
Maybe you have birds or other animals,
Be in that space.
Take an inhale and release your breath.
Now as you sit calm,
Maybe your pets will approach you and lay next to you,
Maybe they're already on your lap or maybe you have an animal that has some fear of coming close and is waiting on the other side of the room.
All of that's okay.
Wherever you're sitting,
Just be comfortable.
And as your pets come to you,
Place your hands on them,
Pet them gently in a spot that they find soothing.
Breathe in,
Let your breath go.
If your pet is on the other side of the room,
In your mind,
Just imagine petting them and soothing them.
Breathing in deeply,
Sighing it out.
Focusing on your breath.
Slowly inhale.
Slowly exhale.
And now shift your focus to your pet.
And gently pet the top of their head.
Focus on that feeling.
If your pet is on the other side of the room or if it's not a furry animal that wants to be held.
Just focus on the top of your pet.
And now take the focus from your pet,
Maybe down their back,
Gently stroking them.
How do they feel on your hand?
Think about the texture of their fur.
If your pet is away,
Imagine the texture of their fur or their skin.
And just keep breathing softly.
And now with every breath you take,
Imagine your breath filling up the space where your heart sits.
Imagine with each breath that space fills up and expands a bright light that is your heart.
And just breathe into that space.
If your pet is near you,
Keep stroking their fur while you're inhaling,
Breathing into your heart space.
Or keep a picture of your pet in your mind if they're not able to be within arm's reach.
Imagine your pet,
Or if you have more than one pet,
Imagine two or as many as you can hold in your mind.
Think of your companions.
And take the love that you've been expanding in your heart,
That energy,
That energy of breath that's filling your heart is filled with love.
And as you picture your pet,
Imagine your heart and the love in your heart leaving your body and extending to your pet and filling them and surrounding them with all of the love that's in your heart.
Just imagine that and breathe into that space.
Inhale,
Expanding your heart,
Exhaling,
Enveloping your pet or your pets.
In all of the love.
Slow inhales,
Slow exhales.
And now imagine your pet surrounded in love.
And as you give your love to them,
They send their love back to you and open your heart to receive the love from your pet.
Inhale,
Receiving love.
Exhale,
Sending love to your pet,
To your companion.
Imagine you stroking your pet or holding their image in your mind.
And now your heart is filled with love.
Take a moment and imagine a time or a moment that you spent with your pet that was truly happy.
Was it the day they came home or maybe they learned a new trick?
Maybe it was the day you were feeling sad and they made you smile.
So think about that.
Think about that and feel the gratitude for having your pet in your life.
Maybe your brilliant heart space starts to smile and you lift up the corners of your heart.
Lift up the corners of your mouth,
The corners of your eyes.
Hold this sense of gratitude for your pet and the happiness it gives.
Hold that and think about it.
Picture this feeling.
Maybe it brings up some emotions and that's okay.
Acknowledge them.
And hold on to this sense of gratitude,
Of the love that is given and received.
And breathe deeply.
And when you feel anxious or when your pet is feeling anxious,
You just need to find a quiet space.
Take a moment.
Calm yourself.
Focus on your breath.
Take some time to send love and express gratitude.
And then carry this with you to keep you calm and help with any anxiety that you have during the day.
And your pet will be able to keep this with them.
And it will help them through their struggles as they go through the day.
Place your hand on your heart,
Acknowledging the love and gratitude you have for your companion.
Slowly open your eyes.
Acknowledge your pet.
And have a wonderful day.
