Gathering up peace, but not for the reason you think.

Mindfulness Talk:

I’m at the cabin this week.  Sounds of water waves, wind in trees, chuckling birds are plentiful.  The feel of grass on toes, campfire on face, breeze in hair surrounds you.  Strong coffee in hand, the silence of being up early.  Fully present.

We all know about the importance of staying present, so it’s tempting to sit on the dock and make a goal of feeling more peacefully present this coming year.  (It’s equally tempting to let disappointment in when “life” picks up again soon enough and that goal doesn’t come to fruition - yet again.) 

But mindfulness challenges us to think about deep peace differently. Imagine a performer on a tightwire learning a new trick.  They are wobbling and shaking and falling off, but they are attached to a tether-line which keeps them somewhat centered.  Yoga describes peace (santosha) as that tether-line.  It’s always with you, keeping you somewhat centered, but not keeping you from the wobbles, shakes and falls of “life”. 

So what can we gather from deeply peaceful moments?  Can we gather in the peace and make our tether-line stronger?  I don’t know.  We can’t break it, I know that.  It’s always there, no matter what.  So can we make it thicker?  I’m not sure.  How much thicker do we need it?  It was already created just for us.         

Maybe we can use these moments to notice our centering line. That doesn’t seem like much, but perhaps it’s profoundly important to simply and really notice that we are supported.  We can show gratitude for it.  We can honor it. 

Hopefully you have a few moments this year to gather up the deep peace.  And the faith to let it go.

Until next time,

Laura

Meditation:

Finding Present Meditation: Find a concentration that reminds you of a deep-peace moment. Maybe it’s a video of the ocean or a campfire. Maybe hold a mug of warm coffee that reminds you of that one morning on vacation. Just breathe and notice how you are breathing in the deep peace from this place.

Continue doing this meditation, or begin the mindfulness meditation.

Mindfulness Meditation: Imagine that the warm peace is beginning to gather in your feet. Notice how warm and comforting and supportive it feels. Let the peace travel up through your legs to the base of your spine. If any feelings or images or thoughts surface, stop and notice them for a bit. They might be peaceful or maybe they are not. It doesn’t matter. Just notice it. When you are ready, let it go.

Imagine the warm peace traveling slowly up the spine to the middle back. Just enjoy the comfort and support. If any feelings or images or thoughts surface, stop and notice them for a bit. When you are ready, let them go.

Imagine the warm peace traveling slowly up the spine to the neck. Just enjoy the comfort and support. If any feelings or images or thoughts surface, stop and notice them for a bit. When you are ready, let them go.

Imagine the warm peace traveling slowly up through the neck to the head. Just enjoy the comfort and support. If any feelings or images or thoughts surface, stop and notice them for a bit. When you are ready, let them go.

Imagine the warm peace traveling slowly through the head and into the sky. It’s as if your spine has extended up from you and through you, higher and higher. Notice how it’s still connected to you but also now connected to the heavens. Notice its warmth and comfort and support. Notice how doesn’t stop you from moving and bobbling around, but does keep you somewhat upright. Notice it. Honor it.

Closing Routine: Know that when you open your eyes, this connection line will still be there. When you are ready, rub fingers and take three cleansing breaths.