Every day and every moment is precious. This is a truth that I know so deeply it becomes cliché to the point that I don’t consciously acknowledge it. I let the rush of getting things done take over…I find reasons to justify my anxiety that I can’t feel peace yet because I have to address the chaos over here. Anxiety urges me I have to arrive to my full self first before I can rest and experience peace. I am not there yet, I must be pushing, keep going. I have to get that job around the corner, get that man, that house, that lifestyle…have a kid, be a mom, be a boss, do it all.
Nature, good conversation, and having a tea with friends help me remember. Even more so, when I take the 2-20 minutes to go through this morning meditation, I am renewed with a deep sense of remembering that this is it, right now, and it is perfect. There is no arrival. There is breath, change, opening up to let in, then letting go.
I use the 7 chakra system with visualization and affirmation. The chakra system provides a beautiful model of how to simultaneously hold boundaries and be open and loving, how to have discipline and rest. For me it birthed the idea of balance with “tight core, loose jaw” – that demonstrate where in your body to push through and where to relax. I typically go from base of spine to crown, but this morning the rhythm of the reverse gave me a great sense of peace and motivated me to write it down here.
I set up my space and myself as follows
· light a candle for aroma and light
· turn off all other lights
· use instrumental music or quiet
· do 5-20 minutes of yoga or gentle stretching
· take a few deep breaths
· wrap a blanket around my shoulders
· sit comfortably with a tall spine, cross-legged on the floor, usually on a pillow
The meditation goes like this
Crown chakra: I bring all attention to the top of my head and feel a tingling sensation. I visualize the color lilac and say the affirmation: I am connected to all beings. I feel the sense of interconnectedness, the weave of energies. I feel a wave-like movement that helps me open to the inhale and release on the exhale with the bigger picture around me. I understand for a split second what some explain as vibrations because I can feel them, right there all the time. Not hiding but not screaming for attention either. I breathe in to connection and wholeness and breathe out tension.
Third eye chakra: I bring all my attention to my forehead. I visualize the color indigo and feel a sense of peace. I trust my intuition. I take each step closer to my true self. I develop a sense of trust in myself that I can release control and let intuition guide the big decisions. I breathe in to embrace the unknown and breathe out to release control.
Throat chakra: I bring all attention to my throat. I visualize the color of deep blue or turquoise and feel a sense of oneness with myself. I speak up. I speak truth. I listen for truth. I spend extra time here because it is my strength yet to be developed. I often will see silver healing threads mend the spaces where there are holes or open areas in the turquoise mass. I develop strength and trust in myself. I breathe in to embrace inner strength and exhale to let go of regret.
Heart chakra: I bring all attention to my chest. I visualize the color of green in a forest that needs air to survive. The forest is expansive. I forgive. I love. I am a vessel of love. I breathe in to many areas and let silver threads mend places that are in need of forgiveness. I breathe in to take in energy of love and breathe out to release shame.
Solar plexus chakra. I bring my attention to my solar plexus. I see the color yellow and some days visualize the bright sun and other days a bonfire. I radiate my truest self. I manifest my goals. I shine as bright as the sun. I see myself unafraid, stepping forth with my inner strength to do my part with joy and passion…and grit. I breathe in and fill my body with strength, I breathe out fear of rejection and failure.
Sacral charka: I bring my attention to my sacrum. I see the color orange and visualize healing water, both blood and lymph running through my veins. I soothe. I heal. I create. I focus on blood flowing in my body and give thanks for my blood and lymph keeping my healthy and vital. Occasionally I will do this practice in the sauna and spend extra time on this chakra to appreciate the cleansing that occurs. I breathe in to the vitality of my body and breathe out guilt.
Root chakra: I bring my attention to the base of my spine. I see the color red and visualize red earth supporting me. I then feel a sense of rootedness and visualize energetic roots spreading down from the base of my spine into the earth, connecting with aspen tree roots, traveling further down and down into the earth’s crust. I travel back up and feel my bones and muscles holding me upright. I am strong. I am fierce. I maintain my boundaries. I breathe in a sense of firmness and stability within my own body, I breathe out to release fear.
I take a few more deep breaths to let the calm energy wash over me. I feel immense gratitude for the moment and the remembrance of life. I remember, more than anything, I want to wake up and come alive! And I am filled with the energy to do so.
Comments