Find a position where you feel both comfortable and alert.
This could be a seated position,
Maybe you're lying down,
Or perhaps you're propped up on a wall or cushion.
Choose the shape that works for you today.
It's good to start this practice by listening to and honoring your body.
Once you're settled in,
Close your eyes or soften your gaze.
Take a deep breath in through the nose,
Filling up the belly,
And on the exhale open your mouth and let it out.
Let your audible exhale release any tension you may be holding onto.
Take a second deep breath in,
This time filling up your belly and lungs.
Hold at the top and then open up your mouth and let it out.
Take a third deep breath in,
Letting this breath be the fullest breath you've taken yet,
Filling up belly,
Lungs,
Chest.
Hold at the top and then open your mouth and let all the air out.
Now keeping the lips sealed,
Start to breathe in through the nose and out through the nose.
Notice where you feel the movement of the breath the most.
Perhaps it's in the belly,
Maybe you feel it in the chest,
Or maybe even you feel a slight lift in the shoulders as you inhale.
Whichever area works for you,
Focus on that part of the body and the feeling of the movement of the breath there.
Continue focusing on the breath,
And as you breathe in,
Think inhale,
And as you breathe out,
Think exhale.
To help keep the mind focused we'll add a count to this exercise,
And we'll also include the tapping of the tip of the thumb to the tip of each of the other fingers.
We'll start with the right hand,
And as you breathe in,
Think inhale,
As you breathe out,
Think exhale,
And then tap the thumb to the index finger and count 1.
Inhale,
Exhale,
Tap thumb to middle finger and count 2.
Inhale,
Exhale,
Tap thumb to ring finger and count 3.
Inhale,
Exhale,
Tap thumb to pinky finger and count 4.
Now repeat this on the left hand,
Going at your own pace,
And if you finish switch back to the right,
Counting to 4,
And then just repeat from right hand to left hand,
Counting to 4,
And then switching hands.
Inhale,
Exhale,
Tap thumb to ring finger and count 4.
Keeping the anchor of your breath by thinking inhale as you breathe in,
And exhale as you breathe out,
Begin to expand your awareness to the entire body,
And after every exhale,
Note a sensation that you are feeling.
The practice will sound like inhale,
Exhale,
Finger.
Inhale,
Exhale,
Elbow,
Noting a different sensation after every exhale.
The purpose of this practice is to note a sensation,
But then to let it go and stay anchored in the breath.
Inhale,
Exhale,
Exhale,
Inhale.
Exhale,
Exhale,
Inhale.
Turn to a normal breathing pattern,
In through the nose,
And out through the nose,
Letting go of the awareness exercise.
And now that we're settled and you've cultivated a little more space between your thoughts,
You can practice tapping in to your inner wisdom.
Today's deep listening question is inspired by the archetype called the fault line.
Archetypes are key images,
Tendencies,
Personalities that tend to appear in every culture.
The fault line archetype represents a fissure,
A crack,
Or a weak link.
Imagine walking across a frozen lake that begins to crack before your eyes.
No matter how optimistic and brave you might be,
Panic ensues.
You become fearful,
Intense,
And long for stable grounds.
This is the energy of the fault line.
You should not deny the shakiness that is afoot.
It's much better to prepare yourself for change than to walk along the fault line pretending all is well.
There is no easy fix for the situation at hand.
It just requires a foundational shift that alters the current dynamics from the ground up.
Understanding a little more about the fault line,
Take the time to ask yourself,
What fault line am I currently experiencing and how can I prepare for this shift?
You'll want to sit with this question without trying to analyze or think and allow any answers to come up from deep within.
What fault line am I currently experiencing?
How can I prepare for this shift?
What fault line am I currently experiencing?
What fault line am I currently experiencing?
During this practice you may have heard an answer from your own inner wisdom,
But the true benefit of the practice comes from listening and practicing being open.
The practice of listening expands our awareness and helps us be in tune with our own inner wisdom.
As we reach the end of today's practice,
Bring the palms together at heart center,
Slightly bow in your head.
Take a moment to reflect on this experience.
Were you able to connect with your inner wisdom?
Did you find a sense of peace and calm?
Allowing this experience and any insight you have gained to stay with you as you bring your awareness back to the physical body.
Take your time and when you are ready,
Open your eyes and allow your body any movement that it needs before you continue on.
Thank you.
