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Sometimes letting go is a cognitive practice, other times we don't need to think about things at all in order to let them go. This is often the case in our yoga classes; we go to class feeling stressed or chewing over an event from the day but by the end of 90 minutes of moving our body and consciously breathing we are able to shift the way the experience is sitting in us or get rid of its residue completely. It's yoga magic.
Mooji says:
"Whatever experiences may arise, allow then to be expressed.
They flow within the human expression of consciousness. Let them be.
Because when they have been given the room to express themselves,
then the space behind, which is joyful, steady and tranquil, will come to the front.
Only don't name this name this enlightenment or feel that you've gained something.
Instead recognise and pay full attention to the unchanging silence
which is the substratum of all that is appearing in the mind."
Today's meditation is a simple practice of breath awareness with the intention to use your breath as a way to clear your mind.
Firstly think about your breath as a metaphor:
The inhale
What we inhale is what enters us. In yoga the inhale brings in oxygen but also Prana. Prana is lifeforce, a vital energy that goes beyond gas exchange. Inhalation is inspiration. Consider what else you ‘inhale’ into your life? Are you judicious about what you let in? Do you flood your mind with images, sounds, words that inspire or ones that exhaust? Spend time considering what you ‘inhale’? Does it uplift you or leave you drained? Reflect on what you would like to inhale.
The exhale
To let go, to exhale, to breath out. Our exhale relaxes us and gives us a chance to release. Think about sobbing, about having a good old cry. Sometimes we are in so much pain that we feel we could sob forever, then there is a break, the sobbing stops and inevitably we sigh, we exhale. Usually this exhale is ragged & laboured to begin with, but maybe it also feels like relief? Is it possible that your body is on your side? That is doesn’t actually want you to be stressed for extended periods of time? That it recognises that even during grief or pain that there is also a need to pause and relax, to let go.
The practice:
Practice sitting and observing your breath. Just quietly.
Now add a visualisation to the breath.
First you are going to visualise inhaling up the spine and exhaling down the spine. Then switch. Visualise inhaling down the spine and exhaling up. Which do you find easier? If you concentrate can both be done equally? What do the directions represent to you?. You will find a recording of a guided version of this breath visualisation mediation here.
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