Meditation: Nurturing Authentic Connection with Self & World

Imagine being able to shatter the chaotic autopilot mode that dominates your life and instead, consciously live in the present, being your most authentic self. That's exactly what we're unearthing in this enlightening episode. In the first half, we focus on the vitality of breath and being present. We examine the liberating act of choosing a different path and acknowledging the changing seasons around us. We also delve into the transformative power of connecting with our thoughts and feelings, letting them surface, process, and then simply fade away. You'll learn to listen to yourself and cultivate your mental, emotional, and spiritual health.

In the second half of the episode, we embark on a soothing journey of balance and wellbeing through the power of mindful breathing and movement. Imagine taking a moment to smile gently to yourself, breathe in and out for four counts and move in a way that aligns with your comfort. We venture through the countless advantages of mindful breathing, including stress reduction, and improvements in focus and clarity. The session concludes with a visualization exercise, reminding us of our capacity to show up in the world as our true, powerful selves. So, let's breathe, move, and connect with our bodies, building a better bond with ourselves and the world around us.

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Chapters

• 0:24 Connecting With Breath and Being Present
• 7:37 Balance and Wellbeing Through Breathing

Transcript

Lisa Hopkins: 0:24

Hi there. This meditation can be done in a number of ways. It's an ideal way to kind of incorporate some connection into your day, whether it's just beginning, or whether you're using it midday as support for resetting, or maybe even at the end of your day to support you into transitioning from one space to the next. No matter which it's for you, and it can be done anywhere, at any pace. If you're walking while doing this meditation, go ahead and take a nice deep breath with the fresh air around you, and if you're doing it in your room, that's okay too. Just take a new, deep, cleansing breath. Throughout this meditation, we're going to connect more consciously to our breath, our beautiful, magical, invisible source of health. We're going to set an intention to build our health mentally, emotionally and spiritually, starting with a nice deep inhale and sighing on your exhale, releasing anything that you don't want to keep it might be something from the day, whatever you like just dropping back into a beautiful space for you, a space where you can get back to yourself, to feeling grounded as you're breathing. Take some time to acknowledge how you're feeling and connecting with each thought and checking in, not assigning any meaning, but rather just allowing the thoughts and feelings to come to the surface, to be processed, and then simply let go, be your own best listener. At first you might hear some chatter about why you shouldn't be doing this meditation right now, all the other things you might be doing. Allow it to come and just as you allow it to come on the exhale, you can allow it to leave. Take a deep breath in again and sigh, releasing any of those shoulds or thoughts that are not serving you. One more time we're going to take a deep breath in and deeply sighing as you land in this moment, eyes still open. Take a look around you. What do you see? Do you notice something new? Or perhaps you're seeing something that you've seen many times before, but somehow you're able to see it in a new light. Notice how, when you were stuck in the thinking that you missed on the being, how many times do we walk or think or do on autopilot, repeating after me all I have is here and now. All I have is here and now. If you feel a thought drift in, simply say and focus on the words. All I have is here and now and again, with your eyes still wide open. And if you're moving, starting to feel the blood circulating, feeling the fresh air. I want you to connect back with some long, deep breaths, in through the nose and out through the nose, meaning this time my past does not define my future. I can choose a different route or path at any time. I am present. I do not need to be on autopilot. My past does not define my future. I can choose a different route or path at any time.

Lisa Hopkins: 6:46

Just noticing your breath again, just checking in to see if it is sped up or slowed down Neither is right or wrong. Just noticing as you breathe, notice the temperature of your breath, feeling the breath travel within your body. Think about where you are right now. What signs can you see that are reflected around you that tell you what season you're in? If you're inside, maybe it's the sweater you're wearing at winter, or perhaps you're outside and the buds are starting to bloom and spring.

Lisa Hopkins: 7:37

Gently smile to yourself as you breathe and connect with the world around you, recognizing that the whole world, yourself included, is a living, breathing, ever-changing environment, beginning to bring balance to mind and body. Let's breathe in for four and out for four, balancing the inhale and the exhale. As you breathe and walk, or breathe and sit, feel free to move your arms or shoulders whatever feels good, and count the many other magnificent changes that are taking place within you in this moment. Your immune system is building, your focus and clarity are improving, stress and anxiety are being released, and by allowing these stress hormones to be released, you are building a better relationship with yourself. And by building a better relationship with yourself, you can therefore build a greater relationship with all of those around you and with your world.

Lisa Hopkins: 9:39

Continue breathing and moving and counting in for four and out for four, being aware of anything that's moving, notice how the unconscious act of breathing changes when you do it mindfully, and gratitude for the opportunity to connect with your body in this way. Take another inhale and then, as you exhale, release through your mouth as if you're blowing a dandelion. Keep smiling, visualize making that wish on your dandelion as you exhale, relaxing your jaw, breathing deeply. You may choose to stop here or continue your journey, or walk, or quiet time on your mat, knowing that you are feeling calmer, more connected and present. You are ready to continue on with your day or night, to move forward, with love in your heart and mindfully knowing that you are there for you and by connecting your mind and body, you are far more capable to show up in the world as the true and powerful you that you are. Namaste, my friends, be well.