Welcome.
This meditation explores the four elements within us.
We will use this meditation as a tool to reflect on what's going on inside of us.
Non-judgmentally,
We will become aware of what's sticking out in our minds,
In our hearts,
And in our bodies.
Allow this information to ground you into the present moment,
To be a guidepost for future actions,
And to allow you to accept where you are right now.
Take a moment to settle into a relaxed position.
This may be sitting or lying down.
You may have your hands folded in your lap or resting on your stomach,
Or maybe your hands are easily resting on the floor beside you.
There is no right or wrong position.
With loving-kindness,
Give yourself permission to be here.
Start to connect with your breath,
Noticing without changing it how the inhales and the exhales feel today.
Allow this practice to provide a lens through which you can examine your body,
Your heart,
And your mind,
And give yourself the space to drop in and deeply investigate the elements that reside within you.
Return to noticing your breath and start to take an easy breath in through the nose and an easy breath out of the mouth.
A nice deep slow inhale and a big exhale.
Again,
Smooth breath in through the nose and an easy release out of the mouth.
Gently seal your lips.
Begin to breathe exclusively in and out of the nose,
Letting the air move easily,
Letting the breath become natural.
Just noticing.
Let us begin with the element of earth or solid form.
Without thinking too hard about what this means,
Openly examine where you feel solid.
This might be the structure of your skeleton,
The floor underneath you,
Any place of tension within the body,
Or the weight of your muscles as they relax.
You can also explore a relationship that feels secure.
You may also look to what feels grounded and solid within you.
Don't rush through these sensations or try to force them.
When you feel the element of earth in the body,
Stay with it for a few breaths.
Begin to transition to the element of air or wind.
You can start by bringing your attention back to your breath.
Observe it without altering or changing it.
As you breathe,
Notice where you can feel the breath.
Can you move the breath to different places within your body?
Start by inflating the base of your lungs.
Draw your next inhale into your headspace.
Inhale to fill up the belly.
Begin to notice what areas of your life feel light,
Easy,
Or airy.
Maybe you identify with this element by areas of life that are feeling turbulent or moving too fast.
Slow down this element by taking a deep,
Slow breath in and a long breath out.
Take notice to the element of air and wind within you.
Shift your attention to the water element.
Begin to tune in to the sense of fluidity that you feel within your body.
It may be the moisture in the eyes,
The saliva in the mouth,
Or the blood pumping throughout your body.
Begin to become aware of the fluidity of your joints.
Maybe allow for your head to fall side to side.
Noticing the sensation that it creates.
Now begin to notice the flow of life.
Are you swimming upstream?
Where in life can you stop fighting the current and float along?
How can you bring about the water element into your life?
Lastly,
Bring your attention to the heat or fire within your body.
Perhaps you are noticing the temperature of the air touching your skin or certain parts of the body that feel warmer than others.
Notice and observe for the experience of temperature,
Either internally or externally.
Now draw your attention to the element of fire within you.
What creates a spark in you?
What ignites passion?
What ignites anger or rage?
Do you feel that the fire within you has been smothered?
Or is it burning like a wildfire,
Ravaging everything in its path?
Notice the fire element within you.
Become aware of the whole body together.
The four elements working within you.
Earth,
Air,
Water,
And fire.
Begin to notice how all four elements work within you.
As you take a deep breath in,
Feel the four elements working to support and fuel your body,
Your heart,
And your mind.
Recognize how the four elements connect us to each other and to the larger world.
Invite a sense of balance into your life.
If you find that one element is too strong within you,
Notice how you can bring about the other elements to balance out,
To find tranquility,
To find peace.
Take as long as you need here in this space.
And as you are ready,
Allow gentle movement into the body.
Allow the eyes to open if they were closed.
And gently guide yourself back into the present moment.
Take as long as you need here in this space.
Thank you for practicing with me.
Namaste.
