A few thoughts on the relationship between healthy self-love and presence, and our ability to hold and offer presence to others. 

This week I received this affirmation card from Unity. I'm on their mailing list and they send me lovely inspirational prayers, poems and booklets upon request. This card came unexpectedly. I didn't request it, but I sure did need it! 

When I read the words of the affirmation I thought to myself, "Well, I'm not feeling this right now, that's for sure," which in itself is a cautionary tale. "So, where are you?" my wiser self asks.

Honestly? In the middle of pandemic like everyone else. A little bit lost in boredom and feelings of isolation. A note of worry or fear creeps in now and then. But mostly I feel agitated, ill-at-ease within myself. Not sleeping well, distracted, disoriented. 

The questions beg to be asked: So what can you do in this moment to hold yourself kindly, with loving presence? What might you need to move away from so you can move toward the freedom that is expressed in the affirmation card—to feel unworried and free from tension? 

For me, I need to experience less noise and more quiet. Have fewer items on my To-Do list and more rest. Less focusing on day-to-day drama and more attention paid to breath and being at ease in the moment. 

One of the best ways for me to cultivate presence for myself in this time of pandemic and begin to "move easily in the flow of life" is to engage in Listening Meditation. 

Years ago, I made this short video offering instruction for Listening Meditation. I hope you find it helpful. I still find it remarkable how letting go of doing anything in particular other than listening can return us to ease—even in difficult times.

Today, in the early hours of the morning, I sit listening to a cacophony of  birds doing their daily rounds: calling to one another, rustling in the underbrush locating twigs to build nests, and singing gentle songs of new life to come. In just a few minutes, I feel myself back in the flow of life ... May it be so for you with the help of Listening Meditation.

Today, I have a gift for you, a short, guided practice (MP3) that I call "Be Here Now Practice." It's perfect for coming back to the present moment when you find yourself distracted or ill-at-ease. 

To receive this practice, SUBSCRIBE to this blog. The link to download will be sent to you in the subscription confirmation email. SUBSCRIBE by entering your info in the green box on the right side of this page. That's it! Thank you for joining me in the practice of Presence. 

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Now that the coldest weather has lifted, I am determined to take a mindful walk each day. Though I admit, sometimes my walks are not mindful; mindless is more like it. My mind wanders. I plan. I drift off and get stuck in old conversations or thoughts about the future. Presence to self eludes me.

And then I remember. It is time to be here now.  To be fully present to myself and this precious moment. My phone is off. I vow to do nothing but walk, just walk. 

One step, then another. One breath, then another. Easing into the rhythm of walking and breathing. Feeling my foot meet the pavement. Noting bird song in the distance. Beauty to my left and to my right. Be here now. 

And just when my mind begins to meander once more, there it is, looming up in front of me. A sweet smiley face someone has taken the time to draw on the walkway. "Hello, I see you," it says. "Do you see me?" And I do. I am grateful for this humorous reminder to come back once again, to surrender to walking. 

"Just walking" is one of the best ways I know to offer presence to myself, especially on a Corvid-19 day when so many thoughts and emotions can press in.

The same can be true for you, for any of us. May our walking bring us back home to ourselves. 

Today, I have a gift for you, a short, guided practice (MP3). I call it "Inner Smile Practice." It's perfect for walking, or when you're at the grocery store, or whenever you feel the need to be more present to yourself and others.

To receive this practice, SUBSCRIBE to this blog. The link to download will be sent to you in the subscription confirmation email. SUBSCRIBE by entering your info in the green box on the right side of this page. That's it! Thank you for joining me in the practice of Presence. 

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How to cultivate presence for yourself at this time? Lots of options here, friends. Here's one of them: a little secret about the breath.

Today, I have a gift for you, a short, guided practice (MP3). It's a gentle "dive" beneath the storm of thoughts to a place of peace beneath the sea.  

To receive this "90 Second Blessing for Calm," SUBSCRIBE to this blog. The link to download will be sent to you in the subscription confirmation email. SUBSCRIBE by entering your info in the green box on the right side of this page. That's it! Thank you for joining me in the practice of Presence. 

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Dear Friend, 
This video says it all. I am thrilled to be back Vlogging, Blogging, and Podcasting on a topic that feels so timely, so vital to our personal and communal well-being: Presence. Specifically how we cultivate this within ourselves for our personal benefit and the benefit of others?

Please take a few minutes to receive this transmission from my heart to yours. What does Presence mean? Lean in and I'll tell you. 

Please enjoy this Guided Meditation I've just created to guide you into an experience of cultivating and holding presence for yourself. 
​(13 min.)

Listen here:
http://www.awakenedliving.com/PresenceBlog/CultivatingPresenceforYourself.m4a
Or by downloading below.

In 2014, I created a full-day, Stay-at-Home Retreat. With so many of us staying home and working from home due to the Coronavirus, this seems to be the perfect time to offer it to you as a gift. The focus of this retreat is Metta—Lovingkindness practice. 

A complete schedule of activities and all materials needed to do the retreat are provided. The retreat kit includes links to 12 mp3s, most of which are guided practices & meditations, 6 handouts (pdfs), including invitations to express your creativity (through art), walking meditation and mindful eating. 

To receive this at-home retreat (with my audio guidance), SUBSCRIBE to this blog. The link to download will be sent to you in a welcome letter. SUBSCRIBE by entering your info in the green box on the right side of this page. That's it! Thank you for joining me in the practice of Presence. 

If you are viewing this post on your phone, scroll down until you locate the green subscription box.