As we begin to settle our mind for an awareness of breath mindfulness meditation,
I invite you to set aside anything you may be holding and allowing yourself to prepare for a time of awareness by assuming an upright and dignified posture,
Strong in the back and soft in the front,
Just allowing your body to relax.
Begin by taking two to three deep breaths to allow yourself to settle into this time.
And as your breath returns to its natural rhythm,
Noticing the air cool as it enters the body and warm as it exits the body.
Just allowing the breath to be the breath without trying to force or change it in any way.
Allowing the breath to do its work in sustaining the body.
And if you'd like,
Bring your attention to the conditions of your body in this moment.
Just noticing what arises in the body as you sit for a moment in awareness and just breathe.
And if you find that your mind has wandered to thoughts of the past or events of the future,
Gently notice this and return your attention to your breath.
Remember it is the nature of the mind to think so there is no need to judge.
Just return again and again to your breath,
To yourself.
And now if you'd like,
Bring your awareness to the contents of your mind and without getting swept away,
Just notice what arises without any need to change or do anything about your thoughts.
Just allowing them to be.
And as you sit in silent meditation until the sound of the bell,
Know that you can return to this practice at any time and that taking the time to be present in the moment with your breath without judgment is always available to you.
And if you find that your mind has begun to wander,
Just slowly and gently bring your attention back to your breath.
You can slowly start to bring your awareness back to the room,
Maybe wiggling your fingers and your toes and stretching if necessary.
Namaste.
