In this meditation, I reflect on a simple teaching from the early desert monks: the work of meditation is the work of beginning again and again.
Every time we come to meditation, the moment is new. Whatever has happened before, whatever our experience of practice has been, we are invited to meet this particular moment without judgement and begin from where we actually are.
We start by noticing how we have arrived. There may be enthusiasm, resistance, tiredness or simply the discipline of showing up. Rather than judging any of these responses, we allow them to be and gently release the secondary voices that praise, criticise or evaluate our practice.
From there, awareness moves through the body and breath before turning towards our inner life. Thoughts, emotions and sensations are allowed to pass while we rest in the deeper awareness that observes them.
Each breath then becomes another beginning — a reminder that even when our external circumstances remain unchanged, we can meet them inwardly in a new way.
This meditation offers a practice of renewal, acceptance and contemplative awareness, reminding us that every breath and every present moment offers the possibility of beginning again.
Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction: The work of beginning again
00:44 – Opening bell
00:55 – Entering a new moment
01:47 – Noticing how we arrive
02:39 – Letting go of judgement
03:59 – The freedom of a new beginning
05:06 – Awareness of the body
05:52 – Releasing points of tension
06:23 – The breath as a beginning
07:17 – Observing our inner life
08:27 – The unchanging inner observer
09:36 – Beginning again in every moment
10:20 – I choose to begin again
11:07 – Returning to the body
11:20 – Closing bell