Welcome to your morning meditation.
Where we hold grief and relief together.
Honoring a chapter that helped shape you even as you are relieved to leave it.
So before the day begins,
We'll light a candle as a small container for what you want to keep and what you are ready to let go of.
So if you have a candle nearby,
Take a moment to get it ready.
And then whenever you're ready,
Let us begin.
Let us settle into a position that feels comfortable and supported.
Seated or laying down.
I invite you to bring a candle into your space.
And place it in front of you.
At a safe distance.
When you're ready.
Let us light a candle.
And take a moment to watch the flame settle.
This flame is our container for the next few minutes.
Everything you're ready to let go of today.
You can place here.
And everything you want to keep.
You'll carry with you.
Now let us breathe in slowly.
And let it out.
Slowly.
Another breathe in and let it out.
And let each breath tell your body it is safe to slow down.
Now gently picture the chapter you're living in.
The people,
The place,
The rhythm of your days.
And a version of you.
Will live there.
You don't have to look at any of it too closely.
Just let it come into your view.
The way you would look back at a home you're moving out of.
And tell yourself silently or out loud.
Thank you for what you gave me.
Now one at a time.
Let yourself name three things this chapter gave you.
It could be a skill.
A feeling of safety.
A moment of joy.
Take your time with each one.
And let it land before you move to the next.
Notice how it feels to hold these.
To get to keep every one of them.
And now,
Tell yourself.
I'm allowed to feel relief.
That this chapter is over.
And feel grateful for what it gave me.
Now.
Gently open your gaze and place our focus onto the flame.
And breathe in slowly.
And as you breathe out,
Softly.
Toward the flame.
Let go of one thing you're left to leave behind.
Maybe it's a pattern.
A pressure.
Or a version of yourself that doesn't fit anymore.
Let your breath carry you to the flame.
Let the flame hold it for you.
So breathe in again.
And as you breathe out Let go of another.
There's no shame in feeling relief.
Doesn't take anything away from the good.
Once more.
Breathe in.
And out.
And let the flame hold whatever's left.
Now remember.
Both of these are true at once.
Gratitude and relief held together.
Now let us take one more full breath in and this time let it go completely and blow out the flame.
Everything you place there is released.
And everything you named earlier stays with you.
Now to close this chapter,
I would leave you with two questions.
What did this chapter give me that I get to keep?
And what am I relieved to sit down.
If you have a journal or a piece of paper.
Let your hand write without editing,
Without trying to make it sound wise.
And see where it takes you.
Take all the time you need.
And when you feel complete,
You can close your journal Take one last breath in and out.
And carry both the gratitude and relief.
With you into what comes next.
Thank you for taking this time for yourself today.
Whatever came up for you in this practice,
There's no right way to have experienced it.
Wherever you are.
Is exactly where you need it to be.
If you'd like to go deeper into what we explored today,
You can find more of my practices right here on Insight Timer.
And I'll see you next time.
