If you're listening to this and you're going through something difficult,
Just know that you're not alone.
I've been through difficult times and I've been through times where I didn't think I would make it out.
I didn't think I would come out on the other side.
I didn't think it were possible to be okay again.
I didn't think I would ever find myself again,
But I'm here to reassure you that everything is going to be fine,
And the secret is simply to relax back and face exactly what it is that you're feeling.
The impulse is to turn away from it,
And we do this by going to our phone,
By going to social media,
By going to food,
By going to substances,
Even just by looking away.
Whatever the method is,
We want to do exactly the opposite of that and be with exactly what it is we're resisting,
And it can be really challenging to do that,
Almost impossible,
And that's okay.
And so my purpose is to be a guide,
To be there with you,
And to help you face those feelings,
And those thoughts,
And those sensations,
Those concerns,
Those worries,
So that you don't feel so alone.
So let's do exactly that.
Take a deep breath in,
And let it go.
Take a deep breath in,
And let it go.
Take another deep breath,
Belly,
Ribs,
Chest,
Hold at the top,
And let it go.
And just stay with the breath,
Even if your attention drifts to something else,
To some other thought.
Just allow yourself to focus on the breath,
Each inhale and exhale.
No matter how rough,
Or uneven,
Or difficult it is for you to breathe,
Stay with the breath.
And as you stay with the breath,
Allow yourself to be with the uncomfortable feeling.
Allow yourself to be with the situation right now.
Just allow the situation to be what it is.
We're not trying to run away from it.
We're not trying to solve it.
We're not trying to fix it,
Or change it even.
This practice is simply being with reality.
And just start to soften into that reality.
Soften any areas of tension.
Soften the eyes,
The forehead,
Any areas in the face,
Or the jaw,
Or the back of the skull,
Neck,
Throat,
Chest,
Solar plexus,
Arms,
Hands,
Fingers,
Fingertips.
Softening the belly,
And the pelvis,
The legs,
Calves,
Feet,
And the toes.
And if you're still feeling tension,
Just continue to be with the tension,
And allow the body to soften.
Gradually,
No rush.
Continue to be with reality.
Allow the weight of reality to be what it is.
Allow the heaviness,
And thickness,
And density to be what it is.
Just allow the situation to occur.
Drop any expectations you have of feeling better,
Of clearing your mind.
Just accept whatever is presented to you,
And be present completely and utterly with this moment.
We'll be concluding the meditation shortly,
And you're welcome to continue sitting,
Or laying,
And continuing the practice once the recording is over.
And I'll just leave you with a couple of affirmations to help facilitate a deeper level of trust in this process.
And you can repeat to yourself,
Silently or out loud,
I am divinely guided.
I am safe.
I am connected to my own power.
Thank you for being here,
And for choosing to show up in presence for yourself.
