Brother Richard

In our first step, we will simply just begin to dwell in the depth awareness

that is necessary for this practice to unfold.

So let's begin.

Entering this time of meditation, we enter joyfully, looking forward to this space, this time.

seeing in it the deep rest and renewal that our whole being needs.

Settling ourselves upon the chair or cushion, we allow ourselves to relax.

We allow the breath to be open and clear, the spine relaxed but straight, the shoulders loose,

the neck, jaw, even facial muscles, all relaxed and calm.

Taking a moment now to simply settle even further.

We can notice the sensations that are in our feet, our hands.

We can find those points of contact with chair and cushion.

that allow us to recognize that we are supported, held.

Stabilizing the self now in this awareness, we turn to the breath as always, using it as a stairway into the fullness of peace and stillness.

With each cycle of in-breath and out-breath descending further

into the fullness of peace.

Feeling the breath move and change from shallow, ordinary breathing to that deeper, longer, more relaxed way of breathing.

When the breath falls into the diaphragm, when we breathe with the belly,

when we allow every pore of our skin to be an organ of breath.

And if it helps, you can picture your breath as light.

With each expansion of the belly, the breath fills the lungs with light.