No one is an island.
This brief guided visualization is an invitation to engage imaginatively with the interconnectedness of your own life.
Take whatever time you need to settle into a quiet place where you feel a measure of connection with your heart and mind.
You may want to use a relaxation exercise,
A mindfulness practice or prayer to assist you in this process.
Become aware of your breath.
Follow it for a time,
In and out.
Allow your attention to rest on your breath.
Gently and repeatedly return your attention to your breath.
Some people find it helps to focus on their sensation of breathing in one place,
Perhaps the nose,
Shoulders,
Chest or abdomen.
When you become distracted and aware of thoughts,
Ever so briefly note the content and then gently return to your focus on the sensations of breath in this part of your body.
Once you are settled,
Imagine you are looking out the front window of your home.
Know your makes,
Full presence with your abs and your Otis,
And pray.
In your mind's eye allow the focus of your attention to expand slowly from yourself,
Seated in a particular room,
To embrace those others in your house,
Your street,
Suburb,
City and nation.
And then finally the globe.
To enhance this sense of connection you may wish to say to yourself silently or aloud,
My life begins where your life begins.
My life begins where your life begins.
You may wish to visualize and emotionally engage with your interconnection with all mankind.
Don't rush away from this exercise.
If you find ideas or prompts to action arise,
Simply note these and return to the exercise.
When the time you have allocated is over,
Allow a moment to return to a sense of yourself in a particular house,
Room and chair.
Take some time to notice your responses.
You may wish to journal about this experience or to discuss it with a friend.
