Step three in the 12th step wisdom reads,
Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.
This follows naturally on step two where we've come to believe in a power greater than ourselves that could restore us to sanity.
I think there's a bit of confusion about this God as we understood him.
I know there was for me.
I'd like to offer a simple path.
We've all had times in our life when intuition showed up just at the right moment.
When we were spurred to action to bring kindness to another.
When we felt supported and loved by life itself.
When we knew the way.
When we did something difficult that turned out to be beneficial.
In all those instances I believe we were guided by that unsuspected inner resource that I've come to call a higher self or higher power.
Today I'd like to offer a meditation that brings us to a practice that opens us to that inner guidance on a more frequent basis.
Releasing the confusion and using the power of visualization,
Mantras,
And affirmation to improve our skill at accessing that unsuspected inner resource and becoming more like our best self which is the goal of the entire 12-step program.
So let's begin.
First find a posture conducive for relaxed alert attention.
I prefer seated feet flat on the floor and gently close the eyes.
Allow the physical body to relax.
The shoulders,
The neck,
The belly.
All gently easing just a bit.
And allow the thinking mind to quiet a little.
Thoughts receding into the background.
The volume just a little lower.
And allow the breath to slow and deepen.
And now imagine feeling elevated emotions such as joy,
Kindness,
Serenity,
Love,
And being loved.
Anchor your attention in the area in your heart centered in your chest in space.
Joy,
Love,
Peace.
Now in your mind's eye imagine walking down a wide path with many others.
Some ahead,
Others behind,
And a few alongside.
Looking up the path you see diverging paths.
Some heading off in one direction,
Others taking a different direction.
You feel gratitude and love for those on this path that is your life as you continue gently walking with purpose.
Feeling the air on your skin and the earth supporting your feet.
As you continue along the path you come to a fork.
Not knowing instinctually which way to go,
You stop and sit on a flat warm stone in the sun.
Gently closing your eyes and anchoring your attention once again in the area of your heart.
You ask for guidance and feeling joy and peace.
There's a loving knowing that you will be given what you've asked for.
Sitting quietly in the sun allowing others to go their own way,
You wait.
Peaceful,
Present,
Grateful.
And intuition does come.
You know now which path to take.
Standing and turning down the path you move with confidence.
A feeling in your heart of being loved and guided.
Knowing that you're on the path of becoming your best self.
And you silently affirm within the mind these words.
I welcome and act on guidance from my higher self.
And again I welcome and act on guidance from my higher self.
And again I welcome and act on guidance from my higher self.
And once more I welcome and act on guidance from my higher self.
Allow this affirmation to resonate quietly in the area of the heart along with that feeling of love,
Peace,
And quiet confidence.
For you know that this unsuspected inner resource is always within you.
You have access to unlimited love,
Wisdom,
Courage,
Serenity,
And the strength to meet any and all circumstances as your best self.
You move down this path knowing there will be other times,
Next times,
To stop,
To ask,
And to wait for that guidance and the other resources you need to continue moving down this path that brings fulfillment,
That takes you closer each step toward the best you possible.
For this is why your higher power created you and gave you this gift of life and waits lovingly,
Patiently for you to ask.
And to affirm in your mind,
I welcome and act on guidance from my higher self.
Anchoring your attention still in the area of the heart,
You feel anticipation and gratitude,
Knowing that each time you ask,
You will receive answers,
Guidance,
Love,
And peace.
Slowly the image of the path ahead begins to fade and your attention returns to the physical sensations of this here and this now.
Keep this feeling in the area of your heart and know that with practice it will be there when you need it.
I welcome and act on guidance from my higher self.
The answers are within.
Everything that you need to become your best self is within you for the asking.
The more you practice,
The better you get.
And when you're ready,
Gradually return fully to this moment and gently open the eyes.
And when you're ready,
Gently open the eyes.
And when you're ready,
Gently open the eyes.
