Lao Tzu once said,
Nature does not hurry,
Yet everything is accomplished.
Just as the way water patiently erodes the surface of a rock,
We too can soften over time when we follow the path of least resistance and let go of our struggles.
We add unnecessary suffering to our experience when we want our reality to be something other than what it really is.
With patience for the process,
We can release our resistance,
Accept what is,
And we can experience peace.
Letting go of resistance and experiencing acceptance is an ongoing practice.
It is one that can be especially difficult,
Yet extremely useful during challenging and uncertain times.
Slowing down and discovering patience during meditation is like training for our day-to-day life experiences.
Enjoy the process.
Be patient.
Allow yourself to learn and grow,
And trust the journey.
Hello and welcome.
I'm Sarah Raymond.
Thank you for joining me today.
Let's begin.
I invite you to make yourself comfortable.
Close your eyes gently and take a patient deep breath in.
And as you breathe out,
Allow your body to soften.
In a moment,
I will guide you in a 4-7-8 breath pattern.
Then you can continue the same pattern on your own.
You will breathe in through your nose for the count of four,
Then hold for a count of seven if you can,
Or shorter if you need.
Then breathe out through your mouth for the count of eight.
And now to begin,
Breathe out completely.
Now breathe in 2-3-4,
Hold 2-3-4-5-6-7.
Breathe out 2-3-4-5-6-7-8.
And one more cycle together.
Breathe in 2-3-4,
Hold 2-3-4-5-6-7.
Breathe out 2-3-4-5-6-7-8.
And now continue this pattern on your own for a few more cycles.
Allow your breath to return to its natural pattern and let go of the counting.
Take a moment to simply notice how you are feeling after practicing a few deliberate,
Relaxing breaths.
Invite your attention to effortlessly drift around your physical sensations to notice your current state.
Observe the quality of the state you are in without making any changes or judging where you are.
Simply check in.
Are you calm?
What is your heart rate like at this moment?
What are the sensations you are experiencing in your body?
Are you warm or cool?
What else is your attention drawn to as the observer of your natural state?
What can you patiently discover about yourself as you look inward on your experience?
Now that you have observed your unchanged experience,
Scan through your body once more.
Look for anywhere you can let go of the tendency to hold on.
Is there anywhere in your physical body that you can let go?
Let go of tension?
Let go of tightness or pain?
There may be areas that are holding on that you weren't even aware of until you patiently looked inward.
Today,
Right now,
I invite you to welcome more ease into your body.
What would it feel like in your body to slow down and discover peace?
What would it feel like to experience calm?
To be still?
Breathe this in.
Experience this right now.
This stillness,
This calm state,
Is a time to go within.
Life,
Nature,
And every person experiences a natural ebb and flow of energy,
An inhalation period,
As well as an exhalation period.
Life is the balance of giving and receiving,
Of expending energy and conserving energy.
It is up to you to discover patience and trust this journey.
As humans,
Energetically,
We can learn from the rhythms of nature.
Each of the seasons has its own energy and symbolism that indicates where nature is in its yearly cycle.
You can learn from the seasons and their energetic changes to help you move through your own seasonal cycle and energetic shift.
Each season has meaning and can invite contemplation of the connections of nature to your own experiences.
Fall is a time of letting go of what no longer serves you,
Letting go so you can welcome in change and new beginnings.
Winter can be a time of stillness to go within,
Perhaps planning for the future and nurturing what is important to you.
And after the cold,
Dark time of winter,
Spring brings a sense that your soul is rested and at the same time,
Spring carries a promise of renewal,
Like a butterfly emerging from its cocoon.
Summer is bursting with light and growth and freedom.
These symbols of nature's seasons may relate to different seasons of your life.
The reminder is that everything changes and goes through stages.
No matter the season that you are experiencing now,
Consider the energy of the seasons.
As you contemplate this cycle in nature,
As well as your own life,
What is your experience?
Can you discover the patience of nature and use it to cultivate the same patience within yourself?
What would it be like to allow yourself to slow down,
Let go of resistance,
And trust the journey?
Fall can be a reminder for you to acknowledge and accept the impermanence and brief nature of things.
Winter encourages you to go within and conserve your energy,
While spring and summer offer the beauty of new growth.
The warmer months are a reminder to appreciate all of the beauty that surrounds us in this world.
Tomorrow is not guaranteed,
And we have the opportunity to enjoy this moment and live every day to the fullest.
The lessons and energy from each season can change your mood.
It can change your perspectives and therefore your choices.
Nature is a reminder to recognize that all things change.
All things are beautiful and perfect in their own unique way at just the right time.
Nature doesn't rush its process.
All changes happen.
And seasons change.
Everything gets accomplished without worry.
Bring your awareness to the sensations and energy of your body once more.
Take a patient deep breath in and let it out as slowly as you can.
Sense a building of energy within you.
Know that,
Like nature,
The sun shines the light on what we may not have seen before.
You have taken the time to go inward,
To slow down and discover the beauty of patience,
To recognize that you can trust the journey.
You can welcome the changes and stages of your life just like nature.
Breathe that in.
Feel the patience within you.
When you are ready,
Open your eyes,
Let the light in,
Trust the journey.
Remember to slow down,
Listen,
Observe and be patient.
Look for the seasons to change,
The energy to change,
And be open to change with acceptance.
Trust the journey.
Thank you for practicing with me.
I hope you patiently enjoy your day.
