Worry is an extension of fear.
We all have had experiences of worrying about something at some point in our lives.
One reason we worry is because we feel like we are not in control.
Welcome to this meditation titled,
Dropping the Suitcases of Worries and Regrets.
My name is Shemila and I'll be your meditation guide for today.
We will delve into what causes us to worry and then involve ourselves in a relaxation practice.
One reason we worry is because we feel like we are not in control.
Another reason we worry is that we know something is pending but our avoidance of it is nagging us.
This could mean an upcoming test or an issue with a loved one,
Etc.
In these cases,
Acknowledging that we are worried and taking action is the best solution.
Worrying can be a very draining experience.
Some of us have a habitual tendency to worry and all of us have known someone who is a chronic worrier.
In order for worry to exist,
We have to imagine that something bad might happen.
What we are worrying about has not happened as yet and by definition,
A worry is a fantasy.
Understood this way,
Worry is a self-created state of needless fear.
For example,
We might worry about our loved ones driving home in bad weather.
There is nothing you can do to guarantee their safe passage but you worry until you find out that they have reached their destination unharmed.
Worrying does nothing to ensure a positive outcome and it has an unpleasant effect on your body,
Mind and spirit.
The way to transform this kind of worry is to imagine the best result instead of anticipating the worst outcome.
Visualize your loved one's path bathed in white light and clearly see in your mind's eye their safe arrival.
Imagine angels or guides watching over them as they make their way home.
Generate peace and well-being instead of nervousness and unease within yourself.
If you can confront the situation head on and own your power to change it,
You'll have no reason to worry.
So now to help you in reducing your anxiety and worry,
Let's start by taking a moment to relax our body.
Soften any unnecessary tension in your belly and shoulder.
And find a posture that feels both relaxed and alert.
Now close your eyes or look downwards and rest your hands in an easy and effortless way.
Take a few moments to scan your awareness through the sensations of your body and wherever possible soften and release obvious areas of physical tension.
Your body breathing now,
Your chest rising and falling with each breath.
And now imagine standing in the street outside of your house with two heavy suitcases and know that one of those suitcases is full of worries about the future and the other suitcase know is full of regrets about the past.
Take a moment standing there in the street holding these two heavy suitcases and reflect about each one of them.
Reflect about the future,
How it will come on its own accord whenever it comes and that most of what we worry about will never happen.
Standing out there in the street reflect about the past,
The other heavy suitcase.
Consider how the past cannot be changed.
All we can do in the present is to learn from it.
Put in whatever corrections make sense.
Become more skillful.
Become a better person and move on.
Standing there in the street feeling the weight of these suitcases and absorbing the wisdom of your own reflections right now.
Make a conscious decision.
Do you want to drop the suitcase of worry about the future?
And if so,
Simply drop it.
Simply drop it.
Then standing there in the street with the other suitcase so heavy about the past,
Make a conscious decision.
Do you want to drop it?
And if so,
Just drop it.
Just drop it.
And as soon as you have dropped the two suitcases,
Walk into your home and take your seat right where you are and plop down so relaxed like someone coming in the street.
And take your seat right where you are and plop down so relaxed like someone coming home from a long trip,
Dropping suitcases and just relaxing.
Resting in the present,
Just breathing.
Resting in the natural well-being of the parasympathetic nervous system.
Resting in the fundamental well-being of awareness itself.
Awareness which does not worry or regret.
Resting as if this is meaningful for you.
Allow yourself to simply rest,
Feeling a sense of peace,
Of joy,
Of well-being,
A natural happiness,
Always your true home without carrying heavy suitcases of worries about the future or full of regrets about the past.
Simply rest here in your body right now with total relaxation throughout your body and mind.
Thank you for meditating with me today.
Sending you love and peace.
Salaam.
