Week 5

Principle #5
Let Go and Be Patient

    Most of us have become really used to holding onto the layers of our experience.  We have work, family, relationships, bills, dramas, and these things become our reality.  But they aren't. When you strip away all of these layers, there is just you.  The exercise of letting go is not an easy one, but necessary to avoid losing the true essence of who we are in the wilderness of daily life.  When you are finally able to let go of the layers that bind you,  you have gained the opportunity to only add back the ones that enrich your life, and let the ones that detract from your life slide away.

    Be patient with yourself as you learn to let go.  Meditation is fluid and changing.  Some days you will be able to sit easily other days it will be a struggle.  Some days your mind may be quiet, other days it may jump from thought to thought.  You can't be "bad" at meditation.  Even on the days when your mind wanders, that is a step on the path towards letting go.

The Breath
This week we will practice rhythmic breathing.  This technique purifies the lungs, blood and cells of the body.  It helps to strengthen the heart and regulate the heart beat.  It also aids in creating internal balance and harmony.
1. Sit comfortably and close your eyes
2. Breathe in through the nostrils 2 breaths in, then 2 breaths out.
3.Continue this pattern of 2 breaths in and 2 breaths out, maintaining a steady rhythm, like a metronome, for 2-3 minutes.
4. Stop the rhythmic breathing, and sit quietly, breathing naturally for a few moments.

Meditation
We will continue to meditate twice per day for 5 to 10 minutes.  In the spirit of letting go, we will work through a visualization where we will begin to let go of our layers.
1.Sit comfortably and set your alarm
2.Relax!
3.Begin to let go.  Visualize work, stress, chores, drama, those that caused the drama and anything else that does not serve you.  Visualize these things as bubbles.  In your mind's eye, see your finger popping these bubbles, and the stressors falling away.  Continue going from bubble to bubble, until each one is gone.  Release this visualization, and let go.  Let go of your body, life, and all the physical trappings of life.  If it helps, keeping your eyes closed, bring your focus to the third eye, or the space behind the forehead. Keep your focus here until your alarm sounds.