A Midsummer Check-In

I invite you to pause and tune in.

You might drop attention down into the body. Noticing points of contact: perhaps a light or firm pressure where the feet touch the floor, or where the back meets the chair. 

You might notice the breath. Perhaps the rise and fall of the chest or belly. Or movement of air at the upper lip, shifting temperature with the inhale and exhale.

You might sense areas of tightness or constriction in the body. Or areas of space and openness. 

You might allow this experience to be just as it is. If there's an urge to fix or push away, inviting a kind curiosity to this experience, too.

You might notice what else is showing up. A stream or trickle of thoughts. A sudden pang or subtle backdrop of emotion. Seeing if it's possible to allow this, too. 

When I say "allow," I don't mean tolerate. It's not "grinning and bearing it." It's softening towards, rather than powering through. To me, it can feel like a gentle opening, an expansion, a growing circle of awareness. Those things I haven't been aware of - or which I'd rather exclude - are welcomed in. Or at least, that's the invitation. Allowing isn't always is easy. I find it can't be forced; it happens on its own time.   

You might take another moment to hold your experience in awareness. Resting, breathing, tuning in.

In our next Mindfulness & Creativity session, we'll continue this practice, tuning in and giving ourselves permission to be as we are. We'll ask, what do we notice when we approach our experience in this way? What might we learn? How might this practice of allowing - or acceptance - support us in daily and creative life? What might be its limits?

I hope you can join us!

Hannah