As we approach the winter solstice and the gradual return of the sun, it’s a good time to focus on what we would like to let go of, and what we would like to create. So I’ve been doing this meditation every morning. Maybe you’ll find it interesting.
I start with breathing. Specifically, I practice my Hug Your Heart breath on every inhale, and on the exhale I say (joyfully proclaim, announce to all creation, exclaim — silently of course) “I release all limiting beliefs, behaviors, and patterns of thoughts.” I do that for about 15 minutes.
Then I listen to a guided relaxation that goes through the entire body, one body part at a time. I continue with my Hug Your Heart breath, but now on the exhale, I say (proclaim, rejoice in, experience) “I release the effects of all limiting beliefs, desires, and intentions,” as I focus on the body part that the meditation is guiding me to. I say it that way because I remembered that, as a girl, I thought it would be really cool if I could wear glasses. Which I now do, of course. I’m sure I’ve had other limiting desires and intentions, and certainly beliefs, throughout my life. And I’m equally sure that they caused various effects, which I would now like to release.
Then I spend some time, several minutes, in the energy of formlessness — the dark, fecund, primordial energy of pure potential. I continue breathing with Hug Your Heart, and on the exhale I reverently state, “I release all limitations, and I am open to all possibilities.”
Then I focus on releasing one particular belief, followed by focusing on whatever I want to replace it with. For example, I may wish to release the belief that infirmity comes with old age, and replace it with a belief in aging with vitality and a passion for living. Believe me, there’s no dearth of beliefs for me to choose from!
Finally, I delight for a while in gratitude.
That’s it. It takes me about 45 minutes, more or less. Some days I have to get up quite early to fit my meditation into my morning, but I’ll tell you what — this meditation creates a kind of bliss, so if I need to get up before 5am, I happily do so.
Happy Solstice! Happy holidays! The year is turning! Light is on the way! Yee haw!