Take Flight...

Welcome to this mindfulness practice on taking flight.

There is an expression.

A bird sitting on a tree is never afraid of the branch breaking because her trust is not on the branch but on her own wings.

In this guided visualization practice we shall be mindful that we all have the ability to leap from the branch with fearlessness and adventure in sight.

Yes,

We all have wings and we can all fly.

We simply have to let go of the branch.

Of course,

In the first place we have to believe we can.

Perhaps sitting would be ideal for this session like the bird on the branch.

You may be amazed at the insight that will arise from within you,

From the very depths of your being.

Taking a long deep breath and as you exhale slowly out through the nose,

Withdraw from all the sounds around you.

Taking another long deep breath and as you exhale slowly out through the nose,

Again withdraw further from all the sounds around you.

And in another long deep breath and as you exhale slowly out through the nose,

Once again withdraw.

Nothing is more enlightening than the freedom to soar beyond our self-imposed limitations and to experience the liberty of just being.

You know there is a gap between this knowing and being.

What do we truly know and from where does this knowledge arise?

Is it not often moulded by our fear-based culture?

Does this branch manifest from a compilation of collective thoughts?

Thoughts that restrict us,

Constrict us,

Cause us to be compliant and complacent?

Thoughts and mental formations,

Movements in the mind that often become excuses,

Subjecting us to all the reasons not to perch on the next branch,

Leap to the next tree or fly to the next mountain?

Taking a long deep breath and as you exhale slowly out through the nose,

Detach from the textures beneath you,

Those that are enveloping you.

Taking another long deep breath and as you exhale slowly out through the nose,

Detach from the textures beneath you,

Those that are enveloping you.

And once again,

As you breathe in and out,

Detach from all that surrounds you and those textures that are enveloping you.

I used to cling so tightly to the branch that it is a wonder I did not turn to stone.

But after much enquiry and tumultuous winds of time incessantly trying to knock me off my perch,

I realised that the branch was simply an emotional anchor that I had created to feel secure.

And what was this anchor made of?

Thoughts.

Taking a long deep breath and as you exhale slowly out through the nose,

Exhale all thought.

Taking another long deep breath and as you exhale slowly out through the nose,

Exhale the thoughts.

And once again,

Taking another long deep breath and as you exhale slowly out through the nose,

Release all thought.

It isn't the branch that is secure.

It is the wings attached to my essential nature that allow me to expand and grow.

That is security.

Belief in my ability to understand the self and the self beyond the itself.

And the self can only be found within,

Sawed through inner wisdom and self compassion.

As frightening as it can be letting go,

Falling into the void,

Struggling to regain buoyancy,

There is nothing more freeing than flying.

Seek the gaps between the thoughts,

The spaces in which the mind may completely rest.

Restore and open to all possibilities,

To all wonders that await you.

Let us be ready to enter the gap between the thoughts with the intention.

Don't think.

Don't plan.

Don't worry.

Be still.

Be silent.

Be peaceful.

Don't think.

Don't plan.

Don't worry.

Be still.

Be silent.

Be peaceful.

Don't think.

Don't plan.

Don't worry.

Be still.

Be silent.

Be peaceful.

I shall be silent now for some time as you discover and rediscover the spaces between the thoughts.

You may need to return to this empty space over and over again.

It is with practice that we may retreat from thought and sustain with vigilance the quiet of the void.

Each time you hear my voice it will draw you back to immersion in the void.

This may help you focus.

And so rest,

Breathe with ease,

Enter the gaps,

Enjoy these soothing moments.

Be still.

Be silent.

Be still.

Be silent.

Be silent.

Be still.

Be peaceful.

Be peaceful.

Be still.

Be still.

Be still.

Be silent.

Be still.

Be silent.

Be peaceful.

Be still.

Be still.

Be still.

Be silent.

Be still.

Be peaceful.

Be still.

Be still.

Be silent.

Be still.

Be still.

Be still.

Be still.

And now bring your hands to your heart and rest one upon the other.

Know that in the words of the poet Rumi,

You were born with potential,

You were born with goodness and trust.

You were born with ideals and dreams.

You were born with greatness.

You were born with wings.

You are not meant for crawling,

So don't.

You have wings.

Learn to use them.

And fly.

This is Anne-Marie at my wish for you.

That you have the courage and insight to let go of the branch and dwell in the happiness that your wings will grant you.

Om shanti shanti shanti om.

Peace,

Peace,

Peace.

Be still.

Be still.

Be still.