1. Upon waking, even before I open my eyes, I say ‘good morning self’, and begin to name and feel into all the little aspects that I can appreciate right then: my pillow, blankets, mattress, the air, sound machine, the heat in the room, etc., anything that you can honestly say feels good to think about. Remember we are building a new grid of acknowledging the well beingness of our lives.
2. Once I am up, as close to waking as possible, I go to my comfortable spot, turn on my white noise, set my timer for 17 minutes and settle in to listen, only listen. No big expectations, just to sit quietly with myself and feel Source energy.
3. More often than not, I realize I’m distracted and need something more to focus on. I choose the words that I have consciously memorized that guide me into the moment. Or return to the sound or count your breath.
One of my go-to’s, from Thich Naht Hanh (matching my breath to the words)
IN – OUT DEEP – SLOW
EASE – CALM
SMILE – RELEASE
PRESENT MOMENT – WONDERFUL MOMENT
I’ve also used a poem, or song lyrics or made up phrases like I mentioned during class, that are meaningful to me. I frequently use the quotation that is at the end of the original newsletter invite. Anything that guides me in the direction of releasing resistance (noisy mind) and into the allowing aspect (quiet mind).
4. Then, over time, what I’ve noticed is, a sensation or a wave of ease makes its way through my body, a slight melting or letting down my guard. This may waver in and out, always returning to the sound, or breath or words.
5. The most satisfying awareness and how I know I’ve gone somewhere different, is a wash of authentic gratefulness, literally the words ‘thank you’ arise from somewhere, other than my thoughts, and the feeling of well beingness is real. It has moved from a desire, to a hope, to a belief, to a knowingness.
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