Safe Spaces Trail- Water Front.
This is a transcript from the podcast that is a guided meditation at the Water Front. If you want to listen to this podcast you can do so here. This was written by Eleanor.
Our lives are full of distractions. It’s hard for us to go more than a few minutes without something moving our focus, whether that is a notification on your phone, thinking about your job or just everyday stresses you might be facing. Our minds can be a very busy place to be, if we don’t set aside time each day to just stop and breathe.
Mindfulness is an ancient practise to allow us to be fully present in every moment of our lives. Instead of living on autopilot, mindfulness can unlock a more purposeful and aware way of life. A life without constant distraction. Mindfulness can also allow us to make sense of our busy minds and slow our thoughts down. Today we are going to do a short mindfulness practise and meditation. Let’s get started.
Close your eyes, start to become aware of any current sensations you’re feeling in your body. You may feel the wind on your skin, you may hear cars driving by or people talking around you. You are in a safe place, somewhere you feel at home. Think about the different smells and tastes that make you feel at peace. Now picture yourself sitting at the albert dock.
You can hear the river Mersey crashing against the dock, people are walking by, laughing and talking, the city is busy, similar to your mind. Now start to imagine one by one, these people start to walk away, leaving you alone on the dock. You feel the cold air blowing on your face and all you can hear is the river and the seagulls flying by. These people are a lot like your thoughts, thoughts pass through your mind like people walk past you on the dock. And like people, it is important to just watch your thoughts pass through your mind when meditating, do not focus on any particular thought, just allow them to pass through your mind. With practise, these thoughts will become less frequent when meditating, allowing your mind to be completely still, completely calm.
Now we are going to do a breathing meditation. This will allow you to focus solely on your breath, you will be able to practise watching your thoughts pass through your mind without focusing on them. You can keep your eyes closed or your eyes slightly open with your gaze low to keep you from falling asleep.
Take one large slow breath through your nose.(do breath in)
Breathe out of your mouth slowly 5, 4, 3, 2, 1
Now think about an intention you would like to set yourself for this meditation.
You may want to feel less stressed or more focused in your day to day life.
Think about your reason for taking a break to listen to this podcast today.
With this next breath, say your intention in your head as you breathe in and say it once more to release it once you breathe out.
Continue to breathe slowly
In…
And out…
Do not worry if you find your mind distracted, this is normal, just allow the thoughts to come and go.
In…
And out…
Do a large breath in through your nose
On your breathe out, you will feel each part of your body slowly relax, allow your arms to fall heavy, your shoulders to drop, and your jaw to untense.
In…
And out...
On your next breath in focus on how the air feels travelling through your nose.
Imagine it filling your lungs with blue light.
When you breathe out, image this light travelling out through your mouth and surrounding your body.
In…
And out…
You may hear sounds all around you, allow them to just pass through your mind without focusing on them, if you become distracted bring your mind back to your breath.
In…
And out…
On your next breathe in, the blue light that is surrounding you will start to fill your body, from your head down to your toes
When you breathe out, you will see this light radiate around you, stretching out to the bench you are sat on, the ground beneath you, and the air above you. it fills your mind, body and environment with complete calm.
In…
And out…
On your next breathe in, start to wiggle your fingers and toes
When you breathe out, start to feel your body wake up from your meditation.
In…
And out...
When you are ready, open your eyes. Thank yourself for allowing yourself the time to just stop and focus on your mind for a while. No matter how busy your life or world may be, you always have the time to take a break and allow your mind to be still for 5 minutes. You will be surprised how much a small break can do for your mood and clarity. Having a busy mind is normal, you’ve already taken the first step at slowing down your mind and allowing yourself to be present in the moment. Allow yourself to be present in your day to day for the next week. You deserve to truly live life with complete happiness, without stressful distraction, self doubt, anxiety or a busy mind. Be happy being you. Have a great week.