Bridge: June 30 - July 6

It takes effort to write these blogs and sometimes motivation is hard to find. In those moments, I ask myself why I write these blogs in the first place. They start out mostly for me. They arise from my own practice of sitting in stillness.  Meditation is my place of refuge. In the quiet of my heart, I discover insight, freedom, gratitude, joy, and peace. The teacher in me can't help but put on paper my particular experiences in order to understand, integrate, and embody them.

And then the words are for you. They are my gift to family, friends, coworkers, neighbors, teammates, teachers, and fellow pilgrims on this journey. I love when you tell me that you forward these reflections to your children, your yoga students, and friends in need. I love it when you send photos or words in response, telling me how you find comfort, hope, and connection in them.

But the best part is the unseen magic. My biggest fear is being alone. I start out meditating by sitting alone with all of the joys and sorrows, fears and hopes, concerns and dreams that inhabit my inner landscape. Mindfulness shows me how to put names and words to these daily visitors. The act of writing creates a bridge from my inside world to the outside world. When you accept the invitation to sit with and savor my words each week, when they find a home within you and resonate with your experiences, something wonderful happens. Whether you tell me about it or not, I am filled with a sense of satisfaction, knowing by Monday or Tuesday morning each week, these reflections have found a new home in your hearts and minds. None of us are alone when we have each other. That is why I write these blogs. Ultimately, it is not for me and it is not for you; it is for us.

Practice

In this week's practice, let's cross the bridge between worlds. Words can serve as a bridge. The body can serve as a bridge. The breath can serve as a bridge.

Arrive wherever you are. Gather your attention and your energy in the place where you find yourself. Attune to your physical surroundings. Feel the soles of your feet, your body making contact with the earth. Become grounded. Settle into the body. Sense the weight of your bones, the aliveness of your skin, the life force within. Listen to the sound of the breath like ocean waves. Feel the swell of the chest and then the softening of the stomach as air flows in and out, and repeats again. Release old energy with the exhale. Relax as gravity holds you, the breath sustains you, and the body shelters you.

Now pay attention to the breath. Breathe in as usual but lengthen the out breath with each exhale. This signals to the body that all is safe. Sense the rhythm of the breath. Breathe in life. Breathe out. Breathe in light. Breathe out. Breathe in peace. Breathe out. Breathe in love. Breathe out. Breath in whatever you need this day. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out anxiety. Breathe in. Breathe out weariness. Breathe in. Breathe out fear. Breathe in. Breathe out equanimity. Take in every good gift. Send out every good blessing. The breath is the threshold for this exchange of energy. Receive and release. In and out.

Next use the breath as a vehicle for wellbeing and lovingkindness. Breathe in and send the breath to the places within the body that need extra care. Breathe into achy joints, tired muscles, and areas in need of healing. Breathe in and then send the breath to the heart. Imagine surrounding painful memories, heavy burdens, and daily concerns with love and light. Breathe in and then send the breath out into the world. Imagine surrounding family and friends, refugees and hostages, forests and oceans with love and light. Shine like the sun to the darkest places. Continue to breathe: in and out.

Sense your connection to your physical being. Sense your connection to your circle of loved ones. Sense your connection to all of creation. Now cross into the rest of the day while remaining connected to everything.