A warm welcome to The Daily Insight.
My name is Fleur Chambers and as always it is my pleasure to spend this time with you.
In today's practice we shall turn our awareness to the powerful practice of receiving.
In our modern-day culture where we are taught to be independent,
Self-sufficient and super capable,
The notion of receiving often makes us feel uncomfortable.
Perhaps we believe that to receive is a sign of weakness,
That it is in some way disempowering or an indication that we aren't coping with the demands of life.
Perhaps we confuse receiving with taking.
In truth,
Receiving is a sign of none of these things.
When we receive with an open heart we are far from disempowered.
We are in fact displaying an inner confidence and awareness that reveals our potential to see our lives as connected to others and the world in which we live.
When we intentionally cultivate this willingness to receive,
To receive love and support from others,
To receive our own ability to soothe and calm ourselves and to receive the gifts from our natural world,
We let down our guard,
We open up,
We soften,
We let go of the need to control everything and you know what,
It feels good.
So settling in and closing down your eyes if you like.
Casting your awareness onto the movement of your breath.
Air flowing in,
Air flowing out.
Noticing the gentle rhythm of your breath.
And opening up now to receiving each breath with a sense of curiosity and gratitude.
Each breath a gift.
Each in-breath an opportunity to receive fresh oxygen.
To connect with your own sense of aliveness and vitality.
Each in-breath long and smooth.
An opportunity to begin again with a sense of possibility and hope.
Can you feel it in your body?
Maybe all the way into your fingers and toes.
Each out-breath long and smooth.
Each out-breath an opportunity to exhale carbon dioxide.
To let go of any thoughts or emotions that no longer serve you.
Each out-breath an opportunity to let go of physical tension and to soften.
Softening across your eyes.
Softening your jaw.
Softening your neck and shoulders.
Softening deep into your stomach too.
Body at ease.
Each full cycle of breath an invitation into the beauty of this moment.
And noticing what is here for you in this moment.
Is it peace?
Presence?
Is there compassion or acceptance?
Receiving now this music.
Allowing each note to land in your awareness.
Allowing yourself to be moved by this music.
Singing to mind the season you are in.
How it looks and feels for you today.
Breathing in this season.
Opening up to the possibility of receiving the energy of this season.
Perhaps the hope and rebirth that is spring.
The energy and possibility of summer.
The quiet wisdom that is winter's gift.
Or the letting go of autumn or fall.
Each breath connecting to the energy of your season a little more.
It feels good to connect to our natural world.
Here in this space of receiving can you bring to mind a time when you received from others.
Perhaps it was a small gesture of kindness.
Maybe a larger gesture of love or appreciation.
Bringing the details to mind and heart now.
Really remembering how it felt to receive.
And now connecting with a time when you received your own wisdom.
Your own support or love.
Bringing the details to mind.
Bringing the memory to life with your breath.
And finally receiving my best wishes for you.
Receiving my heartfelt hope that you are happy.
And free of fear that you may live in peace.
Breathing this sense of receiving deep into your body,
Mind and heart so that it may guide your actions today.
Rubbing your hands together.
Receiving your own warmth.
And placing them somewhere on your body that feels good for you.
Opening your eyes to the space you are in.
Learning to receive is a powerful practice that cultivates a quiet inner strength and sense of connection.
It is a beautiful reminder that we can be moved by others and the world in which we live.
May you move through your days with this wisdom in your heart,
Body and mind.
