Welcome back again my friends.
Today is day 18 of our 22 day guided meditation series.
Today we will be exploring the idea of striving for progress not perfection.
This idea of progress not perfection is about not being a perfectionist and forgiving ourselves when we don't make time for our spiritual practices like meditation.
It is so often we get caught up in life on life's terms and get distracted from our daily meditation routine and other spiritual practices.
And while we are not encouraging you to do this or make excuses,
We want to encourage you if this does happen to not be too self-critical,
Forgive yourself and start right back up again.
There are many reasons we can get sidetracked from our meditation practice and positive habits in our life.
Work over sleeping and not making these practices a priority are just some of them.
Saying that we don't have time to enlarge our spiritual lives and meditate doesn't really make sense though considering how valuable it is.
As we have already learned in the days leading up to today when it comes to the benefits of meditation,
The list goes on especially in the area of freeing ourselves from our negative patterns and addictive behaviors.
But most importantly,
Meditation allows us to be the best version of ourselves we can be.
Ultimately,
We want to remind you of these many benefits,
To remind you of the importance of making this practice part of your daily routine,
But also to encourage you to forgive yourself and start again if you do forget your meditation practice.
It's progress,
Not perfection.
All of us get off track from our meditation practice here and there,
So don't make excuses.
Just forgive yourself and start back up again.
One day at a time,
If you commit to your practice and pick up where you left off when you fall short,
Our spiritual practices,
Including this powerful tool to change our negative patterns can become a daily habit.
Now let's prepare to meditate.
Begin by finding a comfortable seat and closing your eyes.
Now begin to become aware of your breath,
Not focusing or concentrating.
Just simply watch the breath as it naturally flows in and flows out.
Now easily and effortlessly begin silently repeating today's mantra,
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Continue to repeat this mantra,
Om Shanti Namah.
And whenever you notice yourself distracted by thoughts,
Noises,
Or physical sensations,
Simply return your attention to silently repeating the mantra,
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Continue with your meditation.
I will watch the time,
And when it is time to end our meditation,
You will hear me ring a soft chime.
When you hear the chime,
Stop repeating the mantra,
Om Shanti Namah,
And continue sitting quietly with your eyes closed.
Enjoy your meditation.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
It is time to release silently repeating the mantra and continue sitting quietly with your eyes closed.
Now begin to bring some slight movement into your body wiggling your fingers and toes.
Whenever it feels comfortable slowly open your eyes.
I hope you enjoy the rest of your day and I look forward to meditating with you again tomorrow for day 19 of navigating recovery and overcoming adversity.
Namaste.
Namaste.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
Om Shanti Namah.
