New Years Meditation
/New Years Meditation
Sit quietly, body upright, crown lifted, feet planted firmly on the ground.
Close your eyes or half mast them gazing at an inanimate object in front of you.
Place hands on knees or lap.
Lean in to the relaxation.
Find your breath, repeat the rhythm of your breath, let it be the anchor you use during this meditation that brings your mind back to the quiet space inside you.
Lean into the spaces of self care, self compassion and self connectedness.
Breathe in through your nose to the count of 4, hold for 4 counts then open your mouth exhaling all the breath inside of you...you are cleansing your mind, body and soul of old energies, stories and paradigms. Repeat this 3x.
Now settle into the rhythm of a comfortable inhale and exhale through your nose, 4 breaths in, 4 breaths out.
Invite the turn of the year, with the shorter nights and lengthening days of sunlight to be the first stepping stone to start your journey of connecting with that which you want in the depths of your heart, Turning down the volume of the mind...listen to the voice of the heart, the wisdom of the body...invite it to speak to you.
Ask yourself the following questions and let the answers float up from this new found quiet heart center without judgement or unnecessary contemplation from ego.
What is it that you are longing for from the inside..out?
What is it that you are wanting from Yourself?
What is the most extraordinary gift you could give yourself?
What is your sankalpa ( sanskrit word meaning an intention formed by the heart and mind..a solemn vow, determination or will) desire for yourself as the New Year enters?
As the days get longer, the solstice spins and the New Year begins to bloom in her full glory..What are you wanting to give yourself? Let it emerge!
Let what you want to be, a blessing, a self blessing, the ultimate gift from you to you. Let it represent the unity of your mind, your body and your heart. This yearning, this blessing holds within it the seeds of your growth and your unfolding.
As you bless yourself in the return of light and days getting longer, ask yourself..
1.What will you do...What's one simple incremental step that you can take and repeat with consistency to create and recreate this pattern.
Neuroscience teaches that the brain changes not through the length of time, but through consistency. 5 to 7 minutes of meditation a day changes the chemistry of the brain. So...if that's true...what's the pattern that you are going to do on a daily basis to bring your attention into groundedness?
Your big intention might be “ I'm going to be more active” But what does that look like for you? What initial steps must you take to reach that goal?
Remember to make your actions:
Specific
Measurable
Realistic
For one week collect, chart and measure your behavior but do so mindfully with loving kindness towards self. At the end of the week assess your data , tweek it and recommit to next week. This is a marathon, not a sprint. This is a “living active practice” that is not carved in stone….you are creating the type of life you want.
You are living a mindful experiment...you are actively changing yourself and your neuroplasticity! Be proud and celebrate each step in becoming the person you crave to be :)
