Island Of Self

Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahatsamma Sambuddhassa Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahatsamma Sambuddhassa Namo Tassa Bhagavato Arahatsamma Sambuddhassa Now we're just going to imagine that we're calling all of our energy back.

Usually our energy and our attention are scattered everywhere.

And we need to call all of those things home.

So just imagine that all the pieces of yourself that have been scattered around,

That have wandered,

That they're all just coming back and you find yourself right here in this moment and your body and mind in the same place.

Nothing wrong now in this moment.

Nothing that needs to change.

Thay at Thich Nhat Hanh says that we need to return to the island of our self.

This island of self is a peaceful refuge.

It's our true home.

Whenever the winds of the world blow us off course and blow us away,

We can come back to this moment.

And just be here,

Pay attention,

See yourself.

So if you like,

You can just become aware of your breathing,

Because our breathing is an anchor into the present moment.

You don't have to do anything to change your breathing,

But just notice that you're being breathed.

Our breath tells us a lot about our mind.

When we're very angry or frustrated,

Our breathing is very short and very tight.

When we're relaxed,

When we're at ease,

Our breathing is more spacious and more lengthened.

So just become aware of the quality of that,

Whatever it is.

And on your exhale,

Whenever you exhale,

You can just imagine that you're releasing anything that you no longer wish to hold or carry in this moment.

Just let that go.

I'm going to sing for you the Plum Village song about the island of our self.

This beautiful refuge,

This beautiful island that is always waiting for us to return.

Breathing in,

I go back to the island within myself.

There are beautiful trees within the island.

There are clear streams of water.

There are birds,

Sunshine and fresh air.

Breathing out,

I feel safe.

I enjoy going back to my island.

Breathing in,

I go back to the island within myself.

There are beautiful trees within the island.

There are clear streams of water.

There are birds,

Sunshine and fresh air.

Breathing out,

I feel safe.

I enjoy going back to my island.

Lugata,

The prayer is this wonderful sound.

It brings me back to my true home.

Thank you.