Hello and welcome.
Allow me to take you on a mindful journey in which we shall explore the concept of Padam Padam.
In order to do this I would like to relate a story to you upon which you can reflect for a few minutes and which will lead you into long periods of stillness and silence.
To begin you may wish to sit upright or cross-legged or on a chair or inclining against a wall with your legs out long.
You may even wish to lie down although you will run the risk of falling asleep.
You just need to be comfortable and as still as you can be.
Close your eyes down now.
Soften your jaw as though you are unhinging it and do this several times more observing the tension leaving your face.
Release all fatigue from your shoulders.
Pay attention to my voice releasing the tension and weariness from your body.
Allow the breath to guide you inwards.
I shall remain quiet as you do this for a little while.
Now for the story.
A story by the great yoga master Sri Satchinanda Saraswati.
A man had to travel 10 miles away to attend to some urgent work.
It was late at night and very dark.
He took his lantern and came out of the house.
He looked out and saw that pitch darkness prevailed the whole 10 miles to his destination.
He thought of his small lantern and wondered how he could find his way through the darkness.
Fortunately a holy man passed by and he inquired why the man was pausing on the threshold.
The man expressed his fear of traveling 10 miles with the light which only shone 10 feet.
The holy man told him not to worry because the moment he stepped forward the light would also move forward.
The light would always be 10 feet ahead of him so he should not worry just proceed.
So he did and reached his destination.
Padam Padam.
Paday is foot in Sanskrit.
Padam Padam.
Step by step.
In life we constantly become overwhelmed by what we need to do,
What we need to manage,
What we need to accomplish,
What we need to finish.
All that needs to be done.
Can only be realized if you take action step by step.
If you tread lightly step by step.
Padam Padam.
And so let us come to a relaxed state.
Bringing your focus to the crown as though you are touching it lightly with your fingertips.
And to the forehead,
To the eye,
The cheeks,
Shoulder,
Fingers,
Chest,
Hips,
Feet.
Take in another few full breaths.
And now your anchor.
Something for the mind to focus upon constantly.
Can simply be the words Padam Padam.
Whenever the mind wanders and it will draw it back to the word step by step.
And let us observe long moments of inner silence.
You will hear my voice intermittently to bring you back to the practice should your mind keep escaping from your control.
Padam Padam.
Padam Padam.
Padam Padam.
Padam Padam.
Padam Padam.
Step by step.
Step by step.
Step by step.
Step by step.
Step by step.
Step by step.
Padam Padam.
Padam Padam.
Remember to execute life's chores.
To fulfill your desires.
Your life's desires.
Step by step.
As the Chinese proverb states,
It is better to take many more steps in the right direction than to make a great leap forward only to stumble backward.
Take in a long deep breath and gently allow the eyes to open now.
Looking down at first.
Hands to your heart and rest one upon the other.
Or in the traditional way of palms together and whisper to yourself,
I honor all that is within me.
May I reside in peace and joy with love to myself.
