Welcome to this daily insight.
I'm Maria Gullo,
Teacher and spiritual director,
And I'm honored to share this meditation of finding serenity in the midst of chaos,
Fulfilling your desire for inner peace,
Regardless of the circumstances.
So let us come with our hearts open in gratitude to the source of life,
The source of love,
And peace that dwells within each one of us.
Let us begin.
Sitting comfortably,
Yet attentively,
With your eyes closed,
Gently notice your breath.
Feel your body breathing naturally as you inhale and exhale.
Feel your feet resting on the floor and your body being supported by the chair.
Allow my words to wash over you like fresh water on dry ground.
May you receive and believe that it's possible to find peace in the midst of the challenges.
It's possible to experience serenity in the midst of inner conflict,
Even external chaos.
Peace is your birthright.
Feel your body settling deeper into this moment.
Fencing the stillness within.
Continue to notice your breathing.
Still waters of your soul run deep.
Notice your mind and your body.
Now allow your thoughts to recall an emotional challenge that you face,
One that's creating internal conflict,
What situation or relationship might be provoking this unrest.
Let the feelings rise.
No need to hide from this or suppress it.
It's all okay.
Continue to notice your body breathing.
Feel the inhale and the exhale.
Allow yourself to feel and name the emotional response to this challenge.
When you picture the situation or the person in your mind,
What feelings does it bring up?
Is it anxiety or resentment?
Fear?
Anger?
Worry?
You can enter into this space knowing that the source of your life,
Which is love,
Is supporting you.
Notice where in your body that you're feeling this emotion.
Scan through your body.
From the top of your head,
Your neck and shoulders,
Your chest,
Your abdomen,
Your arms,
Hands,
Your legs and feet.
Where are you holding on?
Where do you feel the tension?
As you continue to feel it,
Breathe deeply into that physical sensation.
Take several deep breaths.
With each breath,
Let your muscles relax.
From the top of your head,
Down through your neck,
Feel your muscles let go of the tension.
Through your arms and hands,
Your legs,
Your feet.
As you feel the emotion and the physical sensation begin to release from your body,
Gently envision yourself diving beneath the wave of emotion.
Dropping deeper into the still waters,
Which is the love that sustains you in the very depths of your being.
With each breath,
Turn from the sensation and drop into the sacred stillness within.
You're not trying to escape the discomfort.
You're letting it be.
While at the same time,
Letting your attention be like a pebble that's dropping through the turbulence of the surface waters.
It slowly sinks into the deeper water.
Rather than deny or ignore the feeling,
This is about turning from it,
Moving through it,
And settling into the deep stillness in the core of your being.
Rather than ride the wave of the emotion,
Envision diving beneath it,
Just as you would dive under a wave on the ocean.
Just in the deep stillness.
When you notice that you're being drawn back onto the surface,
Into the emotion,
Or when you notice that your body is tightening up,
Turn from it.
Turn from the emotion.
Turn from the sensation.
Move through it.
Sink into the serenity that is your soul's essence.
Rest here in the serenity that the stillness provides.
Feel your body breathing.
Feel inhale and exhale.
Each time you notice yourself being pulled into the emotion,
Into the wave of inner conflict,
Refrain from struggling with it.
Gently turn.
Move beneath it.
Gently dropping into the deep pool of stillness.
Rest here.
The peace that surpasses all circumstances will support your being.
Rest in this peace.
As we bring this meditation to a close,
Feel the invitation of the presence of love within you.
The presence of love that sustains your soul.
Feel the invitation to rest in the serenity,
Allowing it to permeate your whole being.
Inhale with a deep cleansing breath,
Open your eyes,
And gradually engage with your surroundings.
This meditation will serve you on a daily basis,
Anywhere,
Anytime.
After you've practiced it a few times,
It will be possible to do it without closing your eyes.
The moment that you notice an afflictive emotion rising,
You can turn inward to the sacred stillness,
To the peace at the core of your being,
That serenity at the depth of your soul.
Much gratitude to our source who is love and to you for allowing me to share this meditation with you.
Many blessings as you continue your journey.
Let's be with you.
