Bowing: February 15 - 21

Ice covered trees at sunset, glowing with the beauty of the day.

Let's keep building our daily meditation practice.

1. Beginning - Find a place, dedicate time, set an intention

2. Middle - Follow the breath, notice thoughts, let it all go

3. Ending - Honor yourself for showing up

This week I'll focus on concluding a meditation. I like to think of my intention as bookends for the practice. At the start, I used my intention as a way to guide my heart to be more loving, more open, more kind. At the end, I revisit my intention. And finally, I bow as first instructed by my teacher Jack Kornfield. Bowing is a sign of reverence. Sometimes I bow my head and my body but mostly I bow my heart.

• I bow to myself as an expression of self-care and gentleness.

• I bow to my community of love, to family and friends who have shaped and guided me and who are always with me.

• I bow to the earth, my home, and to all my fellow beings, the mountains, the trees, the oceans, who accompany me on this journey.

• I bow to life, in all of its joys and sorrows, blessings and mysteries.

• I bow to the divine, grateful for the sacred hidden in each moment.

Practice

Let's meditate together. Imagine leaving your heavy coat and boots at the front door. Find a cozy spot where you won't be interrupted. Maybe light a candle or hold a hot cup of tea. Pause and notice the breath as it warms you. Sit by the fire of your heart. Set an intention, a flame upon which to focus your day.

Notice the breath as it comes and goes. Notice thoughts as they come and go. Notice the stories and headlines as they come and go. Whenever you feel compelled to react, notice and let go if possible. Come back again and again to the warmth of your heart. Take time to listen to what is most important. At some point, let go of doing anything. Be present. Be still. Just be.

Relaxed and renewed, come back to the day. Remember the warmth in your heart. Let it shine on those who cross your path this day. Before you leave this cozy spot, bow on the inside and maybe on the outside. Recognize the beauty within and the beauty all around. Honor all that is good. Dare to love. Bow to the light of a new day.