Mantra As A Secure Base To Our Practice

Rarely do we allow the space for our wonderings and sensations to belong, exactly as they are. In this mantra meditation, there is an invitation for the mantra to offer a secure base for you to come home to, without demanding that the mind stay rigidly focused throughout the practice. Instead, we can explore a more honest way of being present, where we witness the fluctuations in presence, the mental explorations and distractions, the rising and falling of tension in the body, or breath coming in and leaving - not a static, fixed state but an alive and honest curiosity of being here now.

Transcript

So welcome back after the long weekend. Happy to see you, Happy to practice beside you. Our intention this week is sympathetic joy, The joy we experience when we witness the joy in another. And so maybe let's begin by just reflecting on what it is to be here with others. Everyone here has made some space, Made some time. To come home to themselves. Such a great thing. Like planting tiny seeds of. . . Genuine. Care for yourself. And when we do it for ourselves, We just begin something that other people might feel. How is it to start your day with time to connect to yourself? And your breath. And the sensation of your body. And how is it when you do? Knowing both are okay. Just different. And in this moment. We chose to be here. Alongside one another. So just letting that settle. You sense it together nice. That there was room, There was space today too. Begin your day with your practice. Hmm. And feeling how your breath is. Moving through you. How your seat is. How's your body? Responding to this moment. And our mantra for today, Soham. I am that. Invitation is to breathe in so and to breathe out, Hum. So silently meeting the mantra. With your breath. Mmmmm. You Mmm, Yeah. What are you? Noticing how it is to have an anchor. To your practice a secure base to come back to. Soham. So on the inhale. . . Hum on the exhale. And how from that secure base the mind wanders. Travels down rabbit holes of thought. Wanders off until that beautiful moment of realizing. Oh, Where have I gone? The secure base of the mantra is here waiting for your return. It's such a natural and lovely process. To wander off knowing that you can come back. Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm Noticing the dance between the mantra and the breath. How it feels each time you come back. To that. What? And maybe returning to the sensation of your body. Laying mantra down. Noticing how it is. To be. A body. What's the tone of the landscape? Feel of your practice. Maybe bringing some movement in. And inviting the breath to deepen. Gives you an idea of how it is. This morning. Offering the fruits of our practice to ourselves, To each other and to all beings. Thank you so much for being here today. Namaste.