All Knotted Up? 5

Before Starting Your Practice

If you find it hard to relax, hard to be just here, hard to be in your body, hard to settle with a cup of tea into the settee of your soul, try some of these techniques. They may or may not work for you. But please use what you find helpful, ditch what you don't.

Stretch or be physically active

Gym or jog or something

Engage the gift of your body - sow into it seeds of subtly - stretching is good. Tai Chi is wonderful for all ages

Breathe deeply and purposefully

drop your shoulders - they're not meant to be

all bunched up around your ears

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Relax your jaw

unclench your teeth - you're not about to attack but to soulfully attend. Rest your tongue gently against the inside of your bottom set of teeth or up against the roof of your palate

Relax your face, neck
and shoulder muscles
Relax these muscles by deliberately tensing them

and then feeling the difference afterwards as you release them again. Even making a fist and then releasing again - stiffening your whole bodySelf and then relaxing can clear and ease you into the softness of soul.

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Let the God of gravity seduce you. Sink (not slump) into the chair or meditation cushion or stool or the floor on which you are sitting to do your spiritual practice.

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Being altogether here can be really hard, but it is within the reach of your heart. Breathe deeply. In one day, I'm told, you have approximately 21 600 times to catch the wave of your breath. Breathe naturally but purposefully in and out and pray Here I Am, Lord.

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When you become distracted - be kind not cruel or overly critical of yourSelf. Refocus on your breathe - refocus on your simple mantra - that repetitive prayer and pray Here I Am, Lord.

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Start small with your practice - give yourself 3-5 minutes (from this, something really deep and cool will grow) but you're going to have to keep at it - and show up on the landscape of your practice and prayer regularly. If you love something (or someone) you will show up for it, for them - for yourSelf.