As we sit for this practice,
In the hecticness and activity of going about our days,
This moment offers the possibility of slowing down and sitting with ourselves to find a greater sense of grounding,
Perhaps the sensation of stillness despite the chaos around us.
Or if stillness is not available,
Just a pause to slow down and be with ourselves and notice how we are,
Recognizing we may need in choosing ourselves because of all the things that we could be doing and all the things that we need to do that keep adding themselves to our to-do list,
We have chosen to take a moment to sit with ourselves and be present with our experience,
Taking three deep breaths and paying close attention to the quality of our breathing.
Is it fast or slow?
Is it faster than usual?
And knowing that during this sitting,
Paying attention to our breath is the anchor that will help us come back from distraction and from restlessness and the desire of the body to be moving and to wait and perhaps not sitting here.
And yet here we are,
Expanding your attention to see your whole body sitting and asking yourself,
How am I?
What is my body saying?
What are the sensations that are felt with more intensity?
Now asking yourself,
How am I feeling?
What emotion is most present?
And I offer space for it.
Perhaps taking a deeper breath to be with that emotion or placing your hands over your heart.
And now bringing your attention to your thoughts.
Noticing the thoughts that are present,
The ones that drop quickly and the ones that be focusing my attention.
What is most necessary?
And offering to this brief moment of sitting with yourself,
A little bit of curiosity,
A little bit of kindness,
A little bit of non-judgment,
A little bit of slowing down from the usual pace that we move around at.
Taking three additional deep breaths,
Becoming once again aware of your whole body sitting,
How your feet feel against the ground.
Opening your eyes and without any particular focus,
Looking at what is in front of you.
Bringing your days to different things,
To your side,
Below you,
In front of you and preparing to continue with the rest of your day.
