Let's begin by finding a comfortable seated position,
Either cross-legged on a cushion or sitting in a chair with feet flat on the floor,
Allowing room for the belly to expand and contract with each breath.
Take a moment to set an intention for today's practice.
The rhythms of the breath may correlate to tensions in the body,
Even as some tensions in the body may also be related to self-image.
As tensions release,
The story of self-image may also change.
Practice helps us to explore these possibilities.
Many of us have heard the question,
What will you be when you grow up?
This may lead one to seek belonging and safety in a self-image based on external value or in a story of identity.
It is in this future self-image one may imagine being able to fully give and receive value,
Safety,
Love.
Ironically the self-image created for connection later fuels the need for protection.
Awareness itself is connection,
Relaxation,
And ease.
Danteo Paredes from Peru talks of sacred reciprocity,
Sacred giving and receiving as taught in the indigenous traditions.
He tells that in the breath there is an example of perfect balance and reciprocity.
There is equal giving and receiving.
I cannot take more breath than I need or give more than I have.
There is no self-created story of value here.
Value is inherent in honoring and acknowledging the natural order.
Let's take a deep breath in together and let it out.
Embrace this inherent and sacred reciprocity.
On the count of four we will begin with the breath.
Inhaling for four and exhaling eight.
One,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Inhale,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Exhale,
Two,
Three,
Four,
Five,
Six,
Seven,
Eight.
Inhale,
Two,
Three,
Four.
Exhale,
Two,
Three,
Four,
Five,
Six,
Seven,
Eight.
Continue counting the breath or at any pace you choose.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
Exhaling.
Inhaling.
For the last few moments,
Return to breathing at any pace you choose.
Simply notice the sensations of the inhale and exhale.
Just for now,
Surrender your thoughts.
Bring your awareness into this moment.
Just for now,
Surrender your thoughts.
Bring your awareness into this moment.
Just for now,
Just for now,
Be no one,
No thing.
Just for now,
Allow peace.
Just for now,
Focus,
Be with the breath.
You are giving.
You are receiving.
You are an agent of infinite abundance and value.
Gently begin to bring your awareness outwards.
Gently begin to bring your awareness outwards.
In sacred reciprocity,
There is sacred relationship.
Remember that this sacred connection is always within you.
Thank you for your practice today.
Namaste.
