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Take a pause from all activity, and either sit or stand in a way that allows you to be comfortable yet alert. It’s ideal, if possible, to gently close your eyes.

With each of the following conscious breaths, inhale fully, extending your natural in-breath so your lungs are filled with air. Exhale very slowly, so that you can feel the actual sensation of releasing the breath and letting go.

With the first set of three breaths, as you exhale, imagine letting go of all thoughts. You might picture thoughts as clouds, appearing and then passing out of sight, leaving a wide open sky.

With the second set of three breaths, as you exhale, imagine letting go of all physical tension. In areas of tightness, you might sense a softening and then dissolving, as if ice is melting to water. (Alternately, “…you might sense dense dark clouds thinning and then breaking apart, revealing a bright, clear sky.”)

With the third set of three breaths, as you exhale, imagining letting go of all that burdens your heart. You might sense a loosening and releasing, as if water is disappearing into vapor. (Alternately, “…you might sense a heavy fog lifting, allowing the warmth and light of sun to fill your being.”

Then allow the breath to resume its natural rhythm, and sense the possibility of simply relaxing open with the in-breath – like a gently expanding balloon – and letting go with the out-breath, relaxing and settling into greater and greater ease and well-being. Continue as long as you’d like, and when you’re ready, explore re-entering activity with a relaxed and open attention.

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A blessing is whatever reminds us of the sacred loving presence that shines through all of us. This meditation is a transformational practice in receiving and offering blessings. First we connect with the vulnerable tender place within us that longs to feel loved, and call on loving presence to bless us. By imagining and allowing ourselves to receive love, our hearts become open and filled with light. We then bring that inner loving presence fully alive as we offer blessings to other beings. The image of receiving a kiss on the brow, and offering one, is suggested as a powerful channel for the blessings that awaken our heart. (from the end of Bodhichitta – the Awakened Heart – Part 1 talk on same evening)

“…being loved into being more who we are is a moment of blessing. What is a blessing? A blessing is a reminder or homecoming into more realness – more love. We’re blessed when we remember.”

“Part of what keeps us from realness – in that small self identity – is the avoiding of what’s here.”

(a favorite from the archives)

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