Navigating The Storm

Hi and welcome to this meditation for navigating the storm.

The goal of this meditation is to provide you assistance if you're feeling agitated or overwhelmed by an emotion or having to deal with a difficult event.

Life's storms can come and shake us at any moment and leave us hurting and bewildered.

Whether it's a simple rain shower or a devastating cyclone,

Facing these moments can be frightening and we may want to avoid them or to try and control everything.

The problem is that the more we resist these storms,

The more our suffering persists.

Our resistance can also prevent us from hearing the messages life is trying to convey to us,

Especially when a given type of storm seems to be repeating itself in our lives.

Indeed,

Every crisis that life hands us is also an opportunity for evolution.

By opening up fully to the storm,

We allow for deep transformation and growth to happen within us.

This is what we'll explore in today's meditation.

Start by sitting upright but without it being uncomfortable.

Make sure that the front of your body is open so as to receive the full range of your breath.

Close your eyes to turn your attention inwards and start breathing slowly through your nose.

Become entirely still.

The only thing moving in you is the air coming in and out of your nostrils.

Now,

Notice what's happening in your experience of this moment.

The different sounds around you,

The sensations of your chair or cushion beneath you.

And if you feel a particular mood today,

Notice how that mood manifests within your body.

Turn your attention to the sensations of your breath and notice how your body is breathing on autopilot without you having to do anything but to observe this rising and falling movement.

Now,

Starting at the top of your head and going all the way down to your toes,

Observe the sensations in your body as if you were passing underneath a scanner.

If you notice stronger sensations,

Slowly sweep your attention once again on this area and notice if they're linked to any emotion you're feeling today.

If at any point during this meditation you're distracted by thoughts,

Sounds or sensations,

It's perfectly normal and it's okay.

When you notice these thoughts,

Simply bring your attention back to your breath,

That is to the sensations of the air coming in and out of your nostrils or to the rise and fall of your chest or abdomen.

Follow your breath from the very beginning of the inhale to the very end of your exhale.

And now,

Simply by observing your breath,

Allow it to slow down so that the flow of air moving in and out of your body becomes thinner and thinner,

As if your breathing was following the rhythm of very small waves on a quiet beach.

When you follow your breathing with your full attention,

It's as if you were diving in the depths of your inner ocean.

You can watch the waves of your thoughts and emotions from an area of calm and serenity.

If you get caught into one of these waves,

It's all right.

Simply bring your attention back to your breathing.

Simply bring your attention back to your breathing.

We're now going to focus on 10 affirmations to consciously navigate the storm and reap its hidden benefits.

Allow the words contained in these affirmations to resonate within you while remaining focused on the sensation of your breath.

First affirmation.

I observe life,

I accept its challenges,

And I serve the waves that are sent my way.

Second affirmation.

Sometimes life encourages me,

Sometimes it challenges me,

But it always wants what's best for me.

Third affirmation.

Everything happens for a reason.

Fourth affirmation.

I do not need to know everything.

Fifth affirmation.

I am honest with myself about the reasons driving my decisions.

Sixth affirmation.

I avoid constantly feeding the conditioning that seeks more money and recognition.

Seventh affirmation.

What's true one day can be false the next.

I doubt the certainties to which the mind wants to attach itself.

Eighth affirmation.

Life is my teacher and I pay attention to its messages.

Ninth affirmation.

I trust myself.

Tenth affirmation.

The destination matters less than the path.

Before ending this meditation,

Once again notice your current mood.

And observe how you feel when you're connected to the present moment.

You can now slowly come back to the space around you by noticing your surroundings.

Starting with the sounds around you.

The weight of your body on your seat.

And when you're ready,

You can slowly open your eyes.

I hope this meditation was helpful to you.

I wish you all the best to navigate this storm.

And I'll see you next time for more meditations.