Held: December 7 - 13

I take my breath for granted. Maybe because it is so close to me, I don't even notice it most of the time. But if I stop long enough to think about it just for a moment, I realize it is a mystery. I breathe all day long but I don't really know how my lungs and my diaphragm oxygenate my body. Sometimes in meditation I follow my breath, hold my breath, count my breaths. I act like it is something I control and am in charge of, but in reality, my breath holds me. It carries me through my days.

The same is true for my body. I presume it belongs to me. I don't always take the best care of it. I often complain about it. But do I have a clue how it heals itself? Do I understand how my cells divide and grow? It is a mystery to me. Sometimes in meditation I place my hands on my heart and my belly, I wrap my arms around my shoulders and hug myself.  I act like it is something I control and am in charge of, but in reality, my body holds me. It carries me through my days.

What about life? I live it as if it is mine to shape and spend as I wish. I pretend I possess unlimited days. But do I even know why I have this particular life? Do I truly understand my purpose? It is a mystery to me. Sometimes in meditation I try to feel my life energy beating through my heart and vibrating in my hands.  I act like it is something I control and am in charge of, but in reality life holds me. It carries me through my days.

Practice

Sit in a quiet space. Allow the busyness of the day to settle. Abide in stillness for a minute or two.

Now focus on the breath. Don't think about it. Don't control it. Rather experience it. Sense as it flows through you. Rest in its rhythm. Be with the breath. Allow it to carry you from moment to moment. Remain here as long as you wish.

Now focus on the body. Don't think about it. Don't control it. Rather experience it. Sense as it holds you. Rest in its steady presence. Be with the body. Allow it to carry you from moment to moment. Remain here as long as you wish.

Now focus on life. Don't think about it. Don't plan. Don't worry. Rather experience aliveness. Sense as life pulsates through you. Abide in its mystery. Be with life. Allow it to carry you from moment to moment. Remain here as long as you wish.

The breath, the body, and life are always with you but they are not yours. You belong to them. Throughout the day, as you breathe, as you experience the body, as you live from moment to moment, always remember you belong.