In this meditation, I return once again to the basic form of relaxation that leads us towards stillness. Repeating this foundational practice from time to time helps us develop what we might call the muscle memory of meditation, making it easier to enter a meditative state whatever circumstances we find around us or within us.
We begin by deliberately crossing the threshold into meditation, perhaps using a simple ritual gesture to mark this time as sacred and special. From there, we establish a stable sitting posture and become aware of our connection with the ground, the earth and everything supporting the body.
Moving slowly through the body, we notice areas of stress or tension and allow the breath to bring relaxation, warmth and calm. We then turn towards our thoughts and emotions, observing them without judgement or censorship.
As the practice deepens, we recognise that while we have a body, thoughts and feelings, we are more than any one of these things. At the centre of the breath, we encounter a place of stillness and rest our attention there.
This is a useful meditation for anyone beginning a meditation practice, returning after some time away, or simply wanting to reconnect with the foundational form that supports a deeper contemplative practice.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction: Recovering the form
00:49 – Opening bell
00:58 – Crossing the threshold into meditation
01:40 – Finding a stable sitting posture
02:13 – Grounding through the earth
03:12 – Asking: How am I?
03:50 – Scanning the body
04:33 – Releasing tension and stress
05:26 – Relaxing the whole body
06:42 – I have a body, but I am more than my body
06:58 – Noticing thoughts and emotions
07:35 – More than thoughts and feelings
08:10 – Finding the still point of the breath
09:15 – Resting in pure awareness
09:39 – Choosing to meditate for ourselves and others
10:14 – Returning to the body and the earth
10:44 – Carrying peace into the day
10:57 – Closing bell