When I’m In My Body, I Am At Home | For Presence & Recovery

We spend so much of our lives running—from our past, our feelings, and even from our own bodies.

If you’ve been feeling anxious, disconnected, or stuck in your head, this meditation is your invitation to pause.

Through gentle breathwork and mindful awareness inspired by Thich Nhat Hanh, you’ll reconnect with your body, soften the noise of the mind, and return to the only place life truly exists: the present moment.

In recovery, we learn that freedom doesn’t come from escaping ourselves—it comes from coming home.

This practice will help you ground, feel safe in your body, and remember: when you’re here, you’re already okay.

Transcript

Hello, This is Roberto Ferreira from Withdrawal to Freedom. When I am in my body, I am at home. Many of us in recovery have a tendency to abandon our bodies. Sometimes, Our bodies remain stuck in the past, Shaped by shame. Sometimes they live in the future, Filled with apprehension and anxiety. And sometimes, We disconnect even in the present, Numbing ourselves through fantasy, Sexual encounters, Unavailable love, And a constant search for validation. We become so afraid of feeling our feelings and our pain that we do almost anything not to be present. What would happen if we allowed ourselves to be here, Now? What surprises might we discover if we simply had faith and stayed present? Being present was, And still is, One of the greatest gifts I have received from sobriety. And today, I would like to share a small piece of that gift with you. Let's begin by finding a comfortable position, Either laying down or seated. Gently close your eyes. We will practice a Zen Buddhist breathing meditation offered by Thich Nhat Hanh. Take a long, Slow breath and silently reflect. Breathing in, I know I'm breathing in. Breathing out, I know I'm breathing out. As the in-breath grows deep, The out-breath grows slow. Breathing in makes me calm. Breathing out brings me ease. With the in-breath, I smile. With the out-breath, I release all tension. Breathing in, I know I am alive. Breathing out, I dwell in the present moment. Breathing in, There is only this present moment. Breathing out, It is a wonderful moment. This is all we truly have, This beautiful present moment. Now, Gently bring your awareness to the sounds around you. Do you hear birds? Maybe the wind moving through the trees? Perhaps a distant chime? Do you hear a child laughing? Or soft music playing somewhere far away? That is life happening around you right now. That is your life. Again, Breathe gently. Breathing in, I know I'm breathing in. Breathing out, I know I'm breathing out. As the in-breath grows deep, The out-breath grows slow. Now, Bring one hand to your heart and the other to your belly. Can you feel your heart pumping life through your body? Can you feel your belly rising as you inhale? That is life moving inside of you, Just as you are. Breathing in makes me calm. Breathing out brings me ease. With the in-breath, I smile. With the out-breath, I release all tension. Now, Let your hands rest gently at the sides of your body, Palms down. Notice the softness of the fabric beneath your hands. Or wood. Feel the quiet comfort of touching something familiar. Your hands are reminding you that, In this moment, Everything is okay. Breathing in, I know I am alive. Breathing out, I dwell in the present moment. Breathing in, There is only this present moment. Breathing out, It is a wonderful moment. This is all we have, This beautiful present moment. Now, Slowly open your eyes. Take a gentle look around you. Notice the colors, The objects, The sounds, The smells, The peace. This is you. This is your body. This is your home. I wish you a wonderful time being present in your life. I'm sending love, And be well.