Find yourself in a comfortable seated position,
Whether it be on the airplane or in the comfort of your own home.
Close your eyes gently and take a deep breath,
Allowing your body to relax in the present moment.
Release your shoulders,
Your ribs,
Your stomach.
Take a deep breath in and out.
As you bring your awareness to your breath,
Notice the rise and fall of your chest.
Feel the gentle rhythm,
The steady flow of life within you.
Breathing in and out.
Let the breath serve as an anchor,
Grounding you in this moment,
In your body.
Breathe in and a long breath out.
Now bring your attention to your belly.
Place your hands softly on your abdomen,
Feeling the warmness and softness beneath your touch.
Take a moment to connect with this area,
A place of intuition and deep knowing.
Breathe in and breathe out.
You may notice that in moments of fear,
This area may clench and may tighten.
It's okay to feel that fear and those strong,
Intense emotions.
But as you continue to breathe,
Imagine your belly expanding and softening with each exhale.
Allow the breath to reach deep into your belly.
Imagine each breath as if you were sipping on the clouds around you,
Filling you with a sense of calm and tranquility.
And with each exhale,
Release that tension,
That worry,
Those fears.
Imagine releasing this back smoke,
Any of that worry that resides within you.
Breathe in and breathe out.
As your mind gets pulled away by feelings of fear or anxiety,
Just bring it back to this breath.
Continue to come back to your breath.
Now,
As thoughts of turbulence enter your mind,
Observe them,
Like the passing clouds and the vastness of your awareness.
Notice that even as the turbulence comes,
It is only momentary that it comes and that it goes.
Notice any fear or anxiety that arises,
Acknowledging its presence without judgment.
Remind yourself that turbulence is a natural part of air travel,
Just as waves are a natural part of the ocean.
Now visualize yourself as you are sitting in the airplane cabin.
You are cushioned,
You are surrounded by a sense of safety and security.
Feel the sturdy structure of the aircraft,
Built to withstand the forces of nature,
Built to fly within and with the winds and the clouds around you.
Know that turbulence is like a gentle breathe,
Causing momentary ripples,
But never posing any threat to the airplane's integrity.
Breathe in and out.
As you breathe,
Allow this knowing to settle deep within you.
Scan your body.
There may be areas or knots of tension,
But there are also small joints and corners of calm.
Where are they residing?
Perhaps in the front of your shoulders,
Perhaps in the front of your forehead,
Perhaps in the strength of your thighs.
Drop into those areas of deep calm.
Trust in the expertise of the pilots and the countless hours of training they have undergone.
Know that the very flight that you are on happens multiple times a day,
Day in and day out,
And nothing ever happens.
All the passengers before you have safely,
Seamlessly landed.
Feel the collective intention of a smooth and safe journey,
Shared by everyone on board.
With each breath,
Feel your body and your mind relaxing further.
Surrender any lingering tension to the gentle embrace of the present moment.
Breathe in with a long breath out.
Allow yourself to be fully present,
Free from worries that may lie ahead.
Know that you are supported,
Held,
And protected.
Trust the vast sky above,
The vast sky below,
The skilled hands guiding the aircraft,
And the unyielding truth that turbulence never brings down airplanes.
As you gently open your eyes,
Carry this sense of calm and reassurance with you.
Remember that just as the belly remains soft and steady amidst the turbulence,
So too can you find a place of peace within yourself,
Regardless of what is happening around you.
Breathe in and a long breath out.
You are resilient,
Grounded,
And capable of navigating any challenges that may arise.
Embrace the journey,
Both on this airplane and in life,
With an open heart that leads to a tranquil mind.
Breathing in and out,
Fluttering your eyes open.
Namaste.
