As we prepare to light our candle in memory of mum,
Let's take a minute or two to become present and connect to ourselves and to each other.
Get yourself comfortable and when you are,
Gently close your eyes.
Bring your attention to your breath.
As you breathe in and breathe out,
Slowly become aware of any parts of your body that might be carrying any tension.
With each in-breath,
See if you can relax part of your body just a little.
And with each out-breath,
Try to let go of any tension you're carrying.
Let your brow be smooth.
Drop your shoulders and relax your jaw.
Notice the gentle rising and falling of your chest and belly as you inhale and exhale.
As you continue to breathe naturally,
Now bring your attention to your body.
Wherever you are,
However you're sitting or lying down,
Feel the weight of your body against the chair or the ground.
Feel the point of connection between your body and what it's resting against.
Now turn your attention to your chest.
As you breathe in,
Feel your heart space open up.
And as you breathe out,
Relax your chest.
Carry on like this for a few more breaths.
Each time noticing the space around your heart as it expands and then relaxing your chest as you exhale.
On your next in-breath,
As your chest expands,
Imagine a broad smile spreading through your heart space.
You might even let a small smile cross your lips as you soften your eyes.
As you're breathing in and out,
Imagining this beautiful smile inside your chest,
It's totally natural that thoughts and feelings will come.
When you notice that your mind has wandered off,
Gently recall that broad smile in your chest.
Soften your eyes and again come back gently to your breath,
Noticing as you inhale and exhale.
Use the sense of this beautiful smile to nourish an attitude of friendliness and acceptance towards any thoughts or feelings that you have.
Continue breathing with your eyes closed for a little longer.
When you're ready,
Gently open your eyes and bring your attention to your photograph of mum.
Looking at her,
Take a moment to call to mind a happy memory you have.
As you hold this memory,
Recall the smile in your chest from earlier.
As that smile spreads across your heart and your eyes soften,
The tenderness you feel is shared by all of us and all those who are happy to know mum.
Now,
Turn your attention to your yard-site candle.
These candles have been lit on the eve of the anniversary of the death of a loved one for generations.
The flame signifies that in our remembrance of mum,
The memory of her lives on and burns brightly.
Now light your candle.
As you do,
Know that we're all lighting our candles together.
And know that the light of mum's beautiful soul continues to shine in each of us and for all of us as a family.
With the candle lit,
With mum's photograph near,
And with your happy memory of mum nourishing that broad,
Beautiful smile in your heart,
Say these words.
In lighting this candle,
I honour mum's life.
I honour all those who cared for her.
And all those who mourn her.
And I give thanks for another day of life.
And the memories of mum that I hold in my heart.
Over the next few days,
As the yard-site candle burns and whenever feels right,
Take a moment to sit with your memories of mum.
Whatever thoughts and feelings arrive during this time,
Know that each has been sent as a guide from beyond.
As you welcome them in,
Let the smile spread across your heart and know that you are loved.
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