Hello,
My name is Jen Knox and today we're going to do a little meditation and reflection on inner connectivity.
So let's begin by inhaling deeply through the nose allowing the chest and the belly to expand and exhaling softly through the mouth releasing tension.
Each breath just allow a sense of openness coming into the body around the body and just exhale and release.
As you continue to breathe feel the space around you and the space within you as one.
Tune into this simple interconnectivity.
The give and take of breath are part of the natural order of things.
Our reliance on this oxygen to keep us moving and our ability to nourish other life forms with every exhale.
Notice how the air moves in and out of your body connecting to the world outside and the life within you and I want you to visualize subtle ripples emanating from your body reaching out toward the people places and moments of connectivity you've shared.
Some of the ripples are strong almost like waves others are gentle maybe even almost still but meaningful.
Allow anything to come up to come up any particular relationships any particular memories as you start to think about this connectivity and how your reality has been formed.
Acknowledge anything that comes up this may be a beautiful experience for you but some things may come up that are a little unpleasant or you may think of relationships that have not seemed to serve you.
In these cases just allow the feelings to rise and release.
Bringing your attention to the relationships now that have served you.
The relationships in which you've had the opportunity to offer your authentic self.
Tune in to these many exchanges everything from saying hello to someone in the morning to having deep and meaningful conversations.
Every time you listen you are offering a gift.
Every time you learn something new you are receiving.
Thinking about ourselves in terms of our interactions we can start to realize that we can shape the way that our life looks by how much we invest in other people how deeply we listen how much we connect.
I invite you to reflect on a moment when you personally felt seen or heard understood and let the feeling that comes up just sink in to the body.
The feeling of just being able to be you.
The feeling of recognition.
Authenticity.
And as you let this feeling just sink in just recognize how this is part of a larger conversation and try to pull to mind a time when you were truly there listening and recognizing someone else and just imagine how this made them feel.
With each recollection just notice.
We are always giving receiving and exchanging.
We live in a network of relationships and the way that we see our lives is shaped by these connections.
Those to loved ones,
Colleagues,
Strangers,
Mentors,
Communities,
Students,
Teachers.
And as you reflect on your connections feeling a light connecting you to everybody that you interact with.
I invite you to place one hand over your heart.
Gently feeling the heartbeat.
Feeling in to this life rhythm.
Acknowledging how you show up in connection.
Listening.
Empathizing.
Contributing.
And as you sit here or lie here with your hand on your heart breathe in inviting compassion for others.
Breathe out and just release any judgment.
Breathe in and feel your connectivity and your ability to control how you respond and how you show up in relationships.
And exhale just release any pressure.
Inhale feel a pleasant responsibility of freedom and all that you can give and receive.
And exhale release any burdens.
Release anyone else's energy that you're holding on to.
Continuing to breathe feeling into your natural rhythm sit with understanding that every interaction is shaping our path.
Think about something you would like to offer or receive from your interactions with others.
Imagine sending a small wave of kindness to those you interact with.
Send that kindness now.
Feel that kindness emanating from you like the brightest most beautiful wave.
And trust that you can allow the same kind of energy to come back to you.
The same compassion,
Connectivity.
The same recognition.
Allow your hand now to drop to your side and just begin to deepen the breath again now breathing into the belly.
Wiggle your fingers,
Wiggle your toes and bring back your awareness.
To the room,
To your body,
To any sensation.
When you're ready open your eyes if they were closed and just allow the sense of interconnectedness to remind you that you are never alone.
We're always connecting with each other.
You have the ability to shape your experience by contributing and responding to others in your highest way.
In the way that makes sense and feeds you.
In the way that feeds you and your own growth.
And in so doing you will better be able to connect with others.
A business writer Adam Grant says that connectivity is the new currency.
Our true identity is forged in the moments we share with others.
So I invite you if you would like to take some time after this meditation to just reflect on something you can do this week to strengthen a meaningful connection or even cultivate a new positive connection.
I wish you all good things.
Thank you for practicing with me.
