Welcome to Meditation Tides with Michelle Sanctuary.
Let the tides of tranquility soften the world that you co-create in your daily life.
You're listening to The Gift of Presence,
A brave guided meditation to help you receive the most profound gift,
The present moment.
This unique moment may never exist again,
And it's time to honor it.
I am Michelle and you may think of me as a comforting guide and dear friend who has your best interests in mind.
Together,
We will unwrap a powerful feeling of gratitude and aliveness that is found right here,
Right now,
Completely independent of the giving and taking of the world outside.
With a sentiment,
Turn your attention to your breath and let out a soft,
Receiving sigh.
Imagine a beautifully wrapped gift box is resting in your lap.
This box is perfectly weighted.
It's not too heavy with expectation.
It's not too light with disappointment.
It's just right.
This box is the present moment.
Visualize the ribbon tied around it.
The wrapping and satin fabric are made with your favorite colors and offer an otherworldly shimmer.
As you gently pull the ends to unfasten the bow,
You remember it's okay to receive.
As you inhale,
The ribbon becomes loose,
Signifying the beginning of your untethering to things that don't serve you.
Sigh as you place one hand gently on your heart's space.
Before opening this box,
You clear the surrounding space.
As you inhale,
Bring to mind any lingering regrets or moments from the past that have been stirring and getting in the way.
Picture these things settling momentarily on the lid of the box.
And as you exhale,
Imagine your breath transforming into a warm,
Forgiving wave,
Washing these moments away.
The key is not to erase them,
But to release their power over your present attention.
In this gift of presence,
As you say silently,
I give myself freedom from the past.
Next,
Bring your attention to the future.
The swirling plans,
The thoughts about tomorrow,
Or any time in the future where your mind often goes.
Any anxieties about what is expected.
As you remove the ribbon,
These expectations slip away in undulating waves,
Dissolved into the infinite universe.
As you exhale fully,
Feel your grasp on the future softening,
Creating space for this moment to live fully.
As you say silently,
I gift myself freedom from the future.
With gentle curiosity and no expectation,
Slowly raise the lid of the present box.
It is a portal into what has been here all along.
But suddenly,
There is a sense of magic.
You become aware of the tingling life force coursing through you.
It is the miraculous ebb and flow of each breath you take.
Now,
Follow your next inhale.
Feel your lungs expand.
And then follow your exhale,
Releasing,
Letting go.
Focus now on your body that is always working for you.
Without your conscious effort,
Ensuring that you are alive and well.
Feel your gentle pulse,
The stability and strength in your bones,
The flexibility of your muscles.
This life,
This breath,
This working body,
This is the greatest gift of presence.
And it is happening now.
Let a natural wave of gratitude wash over you.
Gratitude for this immediate and tonight.
Existence.
Settle into this awareness of aliveness.
This feeling of presence is your true sanctuary.
Always accessible.
Always available.
And as you move through the rest of the day,
You are not driven by yesterday's echo or tomorrow's worry.
It's easy to ground yourself in this undeniable feeling of life.
Because you are present,
You receive each moment fully.
Allowing the gift of gratitude to deepen your experience.
There's a slowing down as your senses are heightened in a pleasant way.
And you tune in to all the things that are happening right now.
That make you feel good.
Because your gift is fully inhabiting life now.
As we come to the end of this meditation,
Gently place the open gift box back in your heart space.
Take one final deep breath in,
Holding on to this profound sense of aliveness.
And slowly exhale,
Setting the intention to live from this present,
Powerful place.
When life tries to pull you back to the past,
Or push you into the future,
Remember the feeling of the open box and return to the power of your breath.
You are always one breath and thought away from peace.
And because of this truth,
The gift of presence is always yours.
Thank you for letting me be part of your journey today.
Until next time,
This is Michelle,
Wishing these meditation tides bring you tranquility and ease,
As you always remember the gift of presence.
