So it occurs to me as I mature through this life that each one of us in some way are labelled and categorised.
Whether they are labels that we give ourselves or given to us by others.
Mother,
Teacher,
Friend,
Manager,
On and on.
And with these labels usually comes some form of responsibility.
People say to me often,
You're a yoga teacher,
You must be so relaxed.
And yes,
Sometimes I have a pretty good grip on myself.
But most of the time I feel more psycho than anybody else.
And so you can see how with these labels comes some form of expectation.
I am a mother,
I must know everything always.
Or that is my teacher,
She must be perfect.
And I don't know if anyone else experiences this but sometimes I don't feel like being anyone.
Some days I don't have the capacity to show up in this world in the way that I expect of myself or the way that others expect of me.
And I also appreciate that we spend a lot of time contributing to and building these identities.
It's important,
It is what gives us a sense of purpose.
But just for today,
I want us to do the opposite.
Just to see if we might be able to practice being no one.
So close down your eyes.
Take a deep breath in.
Fall into presence as you breathe out.
You don't need to breathe like anyone.
To sit like anyone.
Just be here.
Feel your body on the ground,
On the chair,
On the cushion.
The weightiness of your body as it relaxes into presence.
Be here with your whole self.
Hands in your body.
Turbulent thoughts.
Quiet breath.
Calmness,
Tranquility.
Whatever is here let it be here.
Let the moment be completely natural.
We're constantly manipulating,
Changing.
Let this moment be as it is.
Right now there are no responsibilities.
Nothing to do and no one to be.
Whatever weight you carry,
Just for now let it dissipate.
Drift into a lighter state of being.
If you don't feel like watching your breath today,
Don't.
Just be here.
Maybe you're noticing sounds.
Maybe the weightiness of your body grounds you to the moment.
Maybe it's watching thoughts pass.
Maybe none of that at all.
Maybe just sitting and listening to silence.
Notice how natural it is for the stories to spin in your mind.
The stories that are constantly contributing to this identity that we create.
Is it possible just for now for you to let that person go?
All you need to be is here.
All you need to be is here.
Give yourself the permission.
Notice what comes with this territory.
Is there judgment?
Are you rushing to get back?
To do more?
What if life was actually about doing less?
Taking space and time to reset,
To clear perspective,
To rest.
Whoever you are can wait.
Because what you really are in this moment is here.
This breath.
This body.
Notice how good it feels when there's no expectation to be anything else.
Could you embody this lightness,
This simplicity?
Give yourself a break.
You are already enough.
This moment as it is,
As you are,
Is enough.
Take a deep breath in.
Out the mouth,
Let it go.
Bring the hands into touch at the heart.
As you gently bow your head forward,
Today's purpose in honour of being no one.
