Ready to Find Enlightenment? (Or just stress-relief?)
Try Meditating

Continued from our Retreat & Renew Daily Tip.

Begin lying on your back or by sitting in a comfortable position. You want to be comfortable, otherwise you will spend your time fidgeting. Take a moment and notice how your energy is moving, notice your breath. Is there resistance in your body as you try and relax?

Close your eyes and feel your body getting heavier, connecting with the floor. Mentally scan your body one area at a time. Start with your toes and travel up your body to your pelvis, spine, lower and upper back, shoulders, arms, neck and head.

Do any areas cause you discomfort or pain? Do you feel disconnected from any of these areas of your body? Just notice — try not to judge — but just observe. Bring your awareness to your spine — visualize your breath as a river, flowing from the base of your spine up to the base of your skull. Is it flowing freely?

Notice your thoughts — is your mind quiet or is it checking things off your to-do list? If your to-do list is taking over, try and reconnect your mind with your breath. Visualize your breath as a river connecting your mind with your body. Sometimes attributing a color to the breath can be helpful for quieting the mind and staying connected.

Finally, feel your physical, energetic, mental and emotional bodies and let go of all of them. This is your awareness. Stay here for a minimum of five minutes.