Welcome.
Keep listening.
What is my true nature?
Throughout this meditation you'll want to pay close attention to your breath.
Paying close attention to our breath helps us calm the mind so we can access deep states of awareness.
By following our breath we can quickly bypass the chatter of our intellect and the ego,
Let go of tension and negativity and become more open to higher guidance.
Although you may hear answers or receive information during the meditations,
It's not so important for that to happen to benefit from the work.
It's only necessary that you listen and practice being as open as you can.
This effort will expand your awareness,
Helping you learn to be open to higher guidance at any time.
You could think of it as something like target practice.
The purpose of target practice is not to hit a bullseye but to improve the archer's aim.
It's the same with this work.
The more you practice,
The deeper your listening will become.
Introduction to deep listening.
Deep listening and meditation are cousins.
While meditation brings us peace,
Deep listening brings meaning and direction.
When we're challenged by life,
Deep listening helps us respond.
And when we're in confusion and doubt,
It answers our questions or helps us ask better ones.
Deep listening begins where normal listening leaves off just beyond the intellect and takes us into higher consciousness.
Our intellect simply replays the information we've accumulated over time,
A constant stream of shallow content.
And unless we seek a deeper channel,
That's all we hear.
But most people find it difficult,
Especially at first,
To hold an inner focus without the intellect intruding with its distracting chatter.
If that's your experience with patience and some effort over time,
You can learn to quiet the mind and gain the results.
Guided meditation.
Make yourself comfortable and close your eyes.
Take a slow,
Deep breath and let go of any tension as you feel yourself sinking into the surface you're resting on,
Becoming still more comfortable and relaxed.
Take another slow,
Deep breath and release your thoughts,
Letting them drift far away.
And take another slow,
Deep breath and know that in this moment,
All is well.
Bring your awareness into your heart center,
In the center of your chest,
And notice a softness there.
Imagine all the energy you've sent out into the world lately coming back gently to your own heart,
Like the last pieces of a puzzle,
Making you feel more whole and complete.
Follow your breathing in and out as you relax and settle in still more.
Breathing is your connection to life and the natural world.
And like all of nature,
It has a rhythm.
Take a few moments to do nothing more than simply follow the rhythm of your breath and relax.
Imagine you're walking through an ancient forest of tall oaks on a warm summer morning.
It's peaceful here and you've come to connect with nature and reflect.
The air carries the comforting scent of last night's rain and the quiet presence of the trees envelops you,
Making you feel watched over and safe.
The soft earth cushions your steps and the path is paved with a thick layer of oak leaves and acorn husks from years past.
Here and there mushrooms and small bright flowers poke their way through.
Squirrels are busy scampering up and down the rough tree bark and jays are broadcasting from the canopy high above.
Take a few moments to enjoy being here as you walk along and follow your breathing.
Soon you come upon a clearing with tall meadow grass,
A scattering of rocks and a few fallen trees gradually being reclaimed by the earth.
One of the downed trees offers a fine place to rest and view the meadow.
The log where you sit is covered with patches of lichen and bordered by sprays of purple flowers coming up from the crumbling silver bark on the ground.
A chipmunk peeks at you from behind the log and then goes back into hiding.
Nature is quiet here though very much alive and inspires a feeling of peaceful enchantment.
Take a little while to enjoy this feeling as you follow your breathing and go deeper.
Looking up you notice a large butterfly and your gaze follows as it flutters its way across the meadow sampling the flowers from one spot and then another.
Finally it comes to rest near you on the log and waits as if it's expecting you to respond in some way.
Settle deep into your heart as you prepare to consider the following question.
What is my true nature?
Sit with this question for some time without trying to analyze or think and allow any answers to come up from deep within.
Take your time to simply let it be as you ask.
What is my true nature?
Listen deeply and receive.
It will soon be time to bring this inner journey to a close but first take a moment to thank yourself for giving yourself this gift.
Bring your awareness gently back to your physical surroundings.
Taking a slow deep breath in and a slow deep breath out.
Take your time and when you're ready open your eyes and feel awake,
Alert and refreshed.
While it's still fresh in your mind take time to write down anything you may have heard,
Felt or learned in this exercise.
Remember you can always come back to this place of peace and calm at any time throughout your day by focusing on your breath.
Pausing and allowing your heart to open.
Namaste.
