Opening To What Is

Life becomes exhausting when we constantly resist reality, try to control every outcome, or push against the current of our lives. In this guided reflection, we'll explore what it means to soften our resistance, become aware of what is present, and discover a gentler way of moving through life. Through a brief story, a reflection on nature, and a guided contemplative practice, you'll be invited to meet this moment with greater openness, compassion, and trust.

Photo by Zach Searcy on Unsplash. Music purchased on Epidemic Sound.

Transcript

Hello and welcome. This guided meditation is entitled Opening to What Is. And I'll just give you a brief description. Life becomes exhausting when we constantly resist reality, Try to control every outcome, Or push against the current of our lives. In this guided reflection, We'll explore what it means to soften our resistance, Become aware of what is present, And discover a gentler way of moving through life. Through a brief story, A reflection on nature, And a guided contemplative practice, You'll be invited to meet this moment with greater openness, Compassion, And trust. Eckhart Tolle once said, Whatever the present moment contains, Accept it as if you had chosen it. Just take a moment to settle into a comfortable position. Allow your body to relax. And take a slow conscious breath in. And then a gentle conscious breath. Relax your shoulders. Relax your chest. Be still for a moment. Many years ago, I was in a group coaching session and. . . I had kinda hit bottom. And I was tired. I think the coach was trying to get us to put together some sort of plan for going forward. And I just couldn't do it. I was just so tired of trying to strategize and to force things. And I really had an epiphany. I could see myself trying to push the river or even swim upstream, As the saying goes. And, Of course, Trying to push push a river is impossible, Right? And it's very difficult to swim upstream. In effect, I was resisting what was happening. I was trying to control outcomes and come up with the perfect strategy. It was all very willful and just required so much, So much effort. And there's nothing wrong with effort and strategizing and working hard obviously, Obviously works. But I just believed that there was a different way to go. There had to be a way to live more in flow and just be. I was resisting what was happening. I was trying to control outcomes. I was trying to make things work through effort and the little talent that I have. And during that coaching session, As I said, Something shifted and I made a commitment. I kind of put my foot down, If you will. I decided that the pushing was over. I wasn't going to push the river anymore. I was going to stop fighting life quite so much. Everything didn't change overnight as it does with these things, You know. But trying to live more in flow and go with what is has become a practice. And mindfulness has helped, Awareness has helped, And consistency and time has helped. And even now I still catch myself trying to force things from time to time. But the difference is that I notice sooner. The muscle of awareness has become stronger. The muscle of acceptance has become stronger. The ability to pause and ask, What is the next right thing, Continues to grow. Of course, Not perfectly, But with a little more consistency. Today, I'd like to invite you into that same practice. It's not a practice of giving up or passivity. It's a practice of being open. Open to what's already here, Open to this moment, And really open to life as it's unfolding. I really like that word, Unfolding. So our intent here in Eckhart Tolle fashion, Since we've quoted him, Is to be aware of experience rather than trying to change our experience. So I invite you to take another slow breath. And just notice the sensations of breathing. Our breath and what goes on in our body is such a wonderful way to just practice being aware of what is. So as we work with the breath, There's no need to control the breath. Just simply notice it. Notice that the body is breathing. Breath just happens and it's almost as if life is breathing you. Notice the support beneath your body. The chair. Your feet on the floor. If you're laying down, Then the points of contact with whatever you're laying on. Feel the weight of your body being held. The wonderful thing about awareness is that nothing is required of you right now. Notice the sounds around you. Notice the sounds nearby, And then switch and notice the sounds that might be far away. Notice how awareness allows things to come and go. There's no need for labels. So don't label them as good or bad. Just notice that they are a sound. Notice that you are listening or hearing. And now, Ask yourself. . . Am I aware? Be aware that you are aware. What is here right now? What is predominantly here in your awareness? Not what should be here or what you wish was here, But what is actually here right now. To give you some cues perhaps there is. Peace and stillness and silence. Maybe you're. . . Restless or resistant. Maybe there's some sadness or fear. Perhaps there is joy. Or perhaps there is uncertainty. Whatever is here right now, Just be with it, Be aware of it. We're not trying to change our experience. Notice what that is like. Just for a moment. What happens when you don't try to change your experience? And when you simply allow it to be here. Whatever arises, Allow it. You don't need to follow anything. You don't need to resist anything. Just simply notice what's here. And notice that there's something deeper than your thoughts, Feelings, And emotions. There is the awareness that notices. It notices the thoughts, Feelings, Sensations, And emotions. Those things come and go, But awareness remains. Can you notice that? It's like the sky remains while clouds pass through it. Just for a moment, See if you can become more interested in the awareness itself than in what awareness is observing. Be interested in awareness. What I love about awareness is that it doesn't struggle or push the river or swim upstream. It really doesn't demand that the moment be any different. It simply allows. Allow, Allow, Allow. So sometimes the rub is, Can we allow this moment to be? Exactly as it is without trying to change it. Can you allow yourself to be exactly as you are just for now? This is the practice. Everything is allowed. Welcome everything with awareness. Notice that life is already happening. The breath is breathing. Your heart is beating. Thoughts are moving through your mind like objects on the top of a river. And beneath it all, There's a quiet presence. A stillness that has been there all along. You don't need to create it. You only need to notice it. Rest here for a few moments. Doing nothing, Fixing nothing, Becoming nothing, Just being simply present, Simply aware, Simply here. Thank you so much for joining me. As you go throughout your day, As you remember, Just simply be aware of what is. When negative thoughts, Feelings or emotions, In particular, Begin to surface. Simply be with them, Be aware of them, Without trying to fix them or change them. Namaste.