Welcome. This meditation supports the Stage Two task of connecting to your body through sleep, regeneration and movement. In this task, you are asked to understand how much sleep you need, and make it a priority. You are also asked to choose forms of regenerative activities like meditation, massage, hot baths, journaling or time alone. And you are asked to choose some form of movement and move your body each day. The most challenging part of this task is making yourself enough of a priority to actually do it. It is easy to make a list of the sleep, regenerative activity and movement that you would love to have. It is quite another to make it a priority. This meditation will support the self-care mindset needed for this task to be successful.
Posture
Take a moment to get comfortable. You can sit or stand or lay down. It’s doesn’t matter. You can close your eyes or keep them open. Do what works for you.
Presence
Take a slow deep breath. Let it out like a sigh of relief. Be at peace. You are here now. Take another slow deep breath, and this time, send it out slowly, consciously, with purpose, all the way. Be at peace. You are here now.
Journey
We begin. Picture yourself on a typical stressful day. Notice the reaction in your body to the stress. Shoulders are squeezed up. Breaths are shallow and small. The heart is heavy and the solar plexus is hollow – empty.
Why? Focus on the heart. It is heavy because your needs for regeneration are not being met. It is heavy because it is being ignored. The heart is tired. It needs rest, and care.
Now focus on the solar plexus; above the belly button. It feels different here. It feels hollow, empty. Why? This is the center of free will and independent strength of self. Now it makes sense. You have denied the individual self. You have not spoken out for your independent needs.
This may bring feelings of shame, sadness or regret. Do not judge yourself harshly. All of these things are human. All of us have, at some point, failed to honor the independent self and its needs. We have a hundred wonderful excuses. None of which we will continue to allow.
Now choose one regenerative activity from your list. Maybe it’s a hot bath, journaling, time to yourself, massage, a long walk with your love, or anything else that relaxes you and fills your soul. Take a moment to imagine doing that activity. This time is yours.
Notice how you feel now. Regenerative activities feel relaxing and somehow energizing at the same time. Now choose a second activity from your list. Take a moment to imagine doing that.
Let’s check in with the heart now. How does it feel? It feels lighter. Is there some joy there peeking through? The heaviness is lifted. Feel this.
Now we check in with the solar plexus. What do you feel there? It is not so empty anymore. Having stood up for your independent needs, you affirmed your strength of self. You feel solid… capable… even fulfilled. Stay with this feeling. We see, from this, that self-care… regenerative activities… are about a lot more than just rejuvenating the body and mind. They are about rejuvenating the heart and soul. They affirm the independent will and strength of self. They are the source of fulfillment and joy.
And now, your soul is full. Now, you have something to give to others: joy, love, wisdom, caring, focus… THIS is why it matters. THIS is why it must be a priority.
Return
When you are ready, bring your awareness back to your surroundings. Notice how you feel. You might feel cared for, loved, and important. That is good! Because you ARE. Take this feeling with you and return to it anytime you need a boost to make your own self-care a priority.
