Hi,
My name is Sadie and I'm a yogi in recovery.
While there's little written on steps six and seven in comparison to the other steps,
We can be sure that this is a vital phase of our development,
The character building steps.
It's here where we begin to practice new behaviors and attitudes.
In the step six meditation,
We learned how to stay with uncomfortable feelings as painful as they may be.
We recognize that our emotions are temporary and they won't be the end of us.
In this meditation,
You will learn how to tap into the powerful inner resource that is your solar plexus.
This energy center in the belly helps you to keep moving forward during times of fear,
Doubt,
Or insecurity.
It's your courage button.
You've probably heard phrases like,
What does your gut say?
And follow your heart.
Why do we say those things?
It's because the body is a doorway to the mind.
Most of us have been going against our gut feeling for a long time.
I remember the first time I tried hard drugs.
I sat there for an hour arguing with a pit in my stomach that told me,
No,
Don't do this.
But I didn't have the courage to listen.
This phenomenon happened countless numbers of times in my life.
Maybe you can relate.
Now that we're practicing a new design for living,
It's time to start connecting with that inner guide and building the courage it takes to practice new attitudes and behaviors that might feel counterintuitive or uncomfortable.
So let's practice now.
Please find a comfortable seat,
Close your eyes,
And draw your attention to your breath.
Whenever possible,
Inhale and exhale through your nose.
Remember that breath is energy.
It contains oxygen,
Which is vital for life,
And the energy goes where the breath flows.
So keep coming back to your breath.
Watch it flow in and out,
In and out.
Notice where it's going throughout the whole breath cycle,
And when your mind wanders,
Simply keep coming back to your breath.
No matter how many times it takes,
If your mind is busy,
That's okay.
It doesn't matter.
Just keep practicing,
Returning your attention over and over to your breath.
Now imagine yourself laying in a vast green meadow on a warm summer day,
The bright yellow sun glowing on your face.
As you breathe in,
Bring the warm yellow glow down through the crown of your head,
Through your face,
And into your torso,
Filling your chest,
Stomach,
And back with this nourishing light.
As you breathe out,
The yellow light radiates out through your arms and legs,
Hands and feet.
Feel your whole body from head to toe warm and glowing,
Like the yellow sun.
Breathing in,
Feel the warm glow draw down through the crown of the head into the torso.
Breathing out,
It radiates throughout your whole body.
Now bring a hand to your belly,
Just above your belly button.
Imagine all of the warm yellow light drawing in towards your hand,
The center of your torso,
Known as the solar plexus.
See this bright yellow whirling sphere of energy glowing from the center of your body.
Feel its warmth.
This light contains your courage and strength.
It's your cheerleader whispering,
You got this,
When you're about to do something that's scary or uncomfortable.
So get familiar with this.
Say hello,
Tell it thank you,
And give it your energy,
The energy of your breath.
Breathe into the center of your torso.
Breathe into your solar plexus.
Feel the warmth and the light.
Now remove your hand from your belly and begin to turn your attention to your breath,
Inhaling and exhaling slowly and deeply through your nose.
Come back to the image of the vast meadow.
Feel the warm soft grass against your skin.
As you feel ready,
Start to bring some gentle movement into your toes and your fingers.
Maybe move your head from side to side,
And as you feel ready,
You may open your eyes.
As with all of our meditations,
Please remember that you can tap into this inner resource whenever you become still and give it your attention.
The courage and strength is always within you.
Sometimes it just needs a little provoking.
Thank you for meditating with me.
Namaste.
