Darkness surrounds you.
In your hands you hold a paper lantern.
A glowing ember is placed at its base and warmth begins to rise.
With each breath,
Feel connected to the warmth as it expands within the lantern's delicate space.
The rising warmth gradually fills the lantern,
Lifting it gently upward.
Now,
Let go of the image and turn your attention inward.
Begin in the center of your abdomen.
With each slow breath,
Let your awareness radiate outward in widening circles,
Gently spreading through your entire body,
Like the warmth of the glowing ember.
As your awareness expands,
You become manifest through your physical body.
Profound presence becomes tangible,
Fully present in this moment.
With each deep and slow breath,
Allow your awareness to extend beyond the physical body,
Connecting with your spirit,
Your thoughts,
And your emotions.
At the peak of this connection,
You become fully present.
Your deep presence made manifest through body and spirit.
The first expression of this presence is a profound sense of calm,
Inner,
Infinite,
And unconditional.
It emerges from within and becomes your inner compass.
In the body,
It feels like deep relaxation.
In the spirit,
It feels like serenity.
The second expression is a sense of inner wholeness.
It arises from the quiet recognition that in every moment you have done the best you could.
The third expression is a wondrous capacity to awaken life,
The capacity for faith.
In the spirit,
You awaken ways of being that resonate with you.
In the body,
You awaken forces of vitality,
Healing,
Renewal,
And harmony.