Opening to Life,
A meditative vision exercise.
Now that we have a better understanding of the importance of seeking and accessing connection,
It's time for a meditative vision exercise.
This meditation is offered to help you experience a sense of expansion and openness to strengthen a channel within you for connection.
If possible,
Please find a quiet,
Comfortable place to sit outdoors in the fresh essence of nature,
Whether seated in a chair on a patio,
On a bench in the park,
Or directly on the grass.
It's our intention to expand outward into the awareness of the life surrounding you,
And being in nature is a wonderful way to do this.
If being outdoors isn't possible or desired,
Please find a comfortable and quiet space to rest your body.
In whatever position is most comfortable for you,
Try your best to fully relax your body.
If you don't feel comfortable in your body,
Do your best and know that this practice may help.
When you're ready,
Take in a full breath of oxygen.
Then,
Exhale.
Repeat this intake and release of breath three times.
Now,
Bring your awareness to your chest,
Where your heart is beating within.
As you breathe,
Feel the air entering your nasal passage and moving down,
Filling your lungs.
As your lungs fill and release with each breath,
Feel your chest expand outward,
Then inward,
Bringing revitalizing oxygen into your being and releasing it.
Repeat this inhale and exhale of breath three more times,
Keeping your awareness on your breath moving in and out of your lungs.
Next,
Bring your awareness downward to the area of your solar plexus,
Just below your heart,
Near your stomach.
Imagine that within this area is a small spark of light about the size of your eye.
As you breathe in those full revitalizing breaths of oxygen,
Imagine that this small spark of light expands in size and brightness with each breath.
Hold this vision as you welcome a full breath in.
Then out.
Repeat this three times.
This spark of light is symbolic of the light within you.
It is the spirit of your being that grows in brightness,
Warmth and intensity with each moment of your conscious attention and recognition.
Feel the light's center point in your solar plexus,
And as you continue to feed it with your awareness and nurture it with your breath,
Feel it grow brighter and stronger.
As if the light has rays like the sun,
Feel the streams of light reaching up and out into the rest of your being.
Repeat this inhale and exhale of breath three times,
Visualizing the rays of light reaching up and down,
Filling your entire being with light.
Now,
Visualize the rays of light being so bright and so powerful that they reach out beyond your physical being and fill the space around you with light.
As if the center of your being is the sun itself,
Your solar plexus is where the rays connect and unite in an orb of bright white light.
Feel the warmth of this light in your being,
And as you breathe out,
Visualize the rays reaching out in every direction,
Completely surrounding you in light.
Continue this for three breaths.
Bring your awareness to the space around your physical body and the other life that is near you right now.
Are there trees?
What about a cat or dog?
Perhaps some potted plants?
Maybe some birds?
Are there some ants crawling around?
Are there people?
Even if you're unable to see them from where you're sitting,
Sense them around you and take a moment to scan the area around you for living beings.
As if you and each of the beings surrounding you are freed from being seen and identified by physical forms,
Visualize each life form as a similar spark of light.
With rays coming out from it.
Instead of seeing trees,
Birds,
Humans,
And a dog,
Visualize each one as the same bright,
Warm,
And bodiless light that you are inside.
Now visualize the rays of light from your being reaching so far that they begin touching and connecting the other rays of light emitted by the beings around you.
Visualize the light rays being so interwoven and united that the beams become one solid beam,
Connecting each of you in a weaved rope of light.
As you visualize this,
Allow yourself to bring in three full,
Nourishing breaths of air.
In.
.
.
Then slowly out.
Allow yourself to feel the innocence of each being you are now connected to.
See where the tree was once a seed and where the dog was once a puppy.
See where the bird was once a fledgling and where the humans were once small,
Innocent children.
Feel the innocence within yourself,
And through a tender and sacred glance,
Visualize yourself when you too were a small,
Precious,
And trusting child.
Feel the same heartfelt spirit within you that has always been inside you since the moment you were born.
Feel how much that sacred being deserves to be loved,
Acknowledged,
And surrounded with support and appreciation.
Feel how deserving and equally important all the beings surrounding you are right now.
As you inhale,
Then slowly exhale,
Allow yourself to know that you are not alone.
Know that you are surrounded with love,
Warmth,
Light,
And the many beings who see you,
Feel you,
And appreciate that you are here.
