So let's spend some time here showing the body some kindness.
This can be a practice unto itself right?
So let's treat it as such now and just in and of itself showing the body some kindness,
Exploring what that means and feels like to you.
To be kind to your body.
And now I want you to just look at your hands.
Turning them this way and that in front of your gaze.
Their nooks and crannies.
Their stories.
Letting any observations surface.
These hands that have been with you for a while now.
And now maybe rubbing them together kindly.
Stroking them.
Noticing how that feels.
Seeing if you can soothe your hands with a kind touch.
And now still stroking your hands,
Closing your eyes and noticing how the touch might be amplified or whatever you notice now with your eyes closed.
Stroking your own hands like you might stroke those of a child or someone needing comfort.
No matter our age,
All of our hands are in the aging process.
They will or might already be feeling the wear and tear.
Can we comfort our aging hands now with our touch?
Can you show them loving-kindness?
Bringing this soft,
Gentle,
Loving-kindness touch into the focus of your mind.
Bringing your heart and your attention into how you're stroking your hands and what it feels like.
And now maybe holding one hand in another.
Holding your own hand.
Bringing yourself fully into this experience.
And now just finding a gentle place to rest your hands against your body.
In the warmth of your lap perhaps or against your belly.
And just feeling them there,
Almost like coming to nest against you.
Seeking warmth and comfort.
Seeing if you can allow this warmth and comfort to spread now throughout your whole body.
Our aging body.
Even if you're still young,
Aging is within us all.
Holding your body now with warmth and comfort.
Seeing if you can feel loving-kindness for your whole body right now.
Sometimes this takes some practice so don't worry if it doesn't come natural.
We're just practicing now so you're in the right place.
Can you practice allowing your body to come to rest in the loving-kindness of your heart?
Just like you did with your hands in your lap.
Bringing the whole body to rest in the warmth,
The loving-kindness of your own heart.
Aging is happening within all our bodies.
Seeing if you can hold this aspect of your body right now in the loving-kindness of your heart.
Your aging body.
We tend to revile aging,
Wish it away,
Pretend it isn't within us.
Let it be here now,
Within us now.
If you're in a position to do this,
You can explore what it feels like to move your hands to your elbows.
Holding your elbows close against your body.
Maybe stroking your upper arms.
Holding the weight of your arms against you now.
A type of embrace.
Leaning into this sense of holding,
Of being held.
Oh this body of ours.
Giving ourselves some comfort now if we can.
This aging process within us now.
Within us all.
Can we offer some loving-kindness to the aging process within ourselves?
It's what makes way for a new life.
It's a vital,
Life-affirming part of the balance of nature.
Trees have aging within them.
So do the birds and the bees.
Whole forests,
Ecosystems of life are simply not possible without this phenomenon of aging.
When it's time and not before,
We make space for others.
We eventually grow small to make space.
What a sweet gift to give when it's time,
Not before.
Loving-kindness for the process of aging.
How it enables life.
How it makes space for others when it's time.
When it's time.
Loving-kindness for the process of aging.
And now just resting.
Just breathing.
Each out-breath coming to an end to make space for the new breath when it's time.
Giving yourself your own space to rest now.
Honoring the life that's still living within you now.
Feeling it strong.
Wanting to live.
Aging is simply another way to participate in life.
Loving-kindness for the aging itself.
Sending loving-kindness now to all beings who have been through aging.
Who have made space for you.
Sending loving-kindness to all beings who are deep in the aging now.
Preparing to make space.
Sending loving-kindness to all beings who have yet to come.
We will make space for you with love when it's time.
