Come Back to the Body, Come Back to the Breath

Practicing ease, finding relief, and being in the present moment.

Dear Friends,

I hope you are all doing well and having a beautiful day.

I want to look deeper into the feelings that move through me, which include feelings of joy and sadness.

I want to understand what it would take to feel a sense of peace and at home in myself, a love for who I am, in this moment. Seeing the anxiety that arises, I try not to identify with it. I simply wish to let it come up, let it move through, and let it go. The feelings resurface, and I reiterate the process.

The process is continual, yet I remember that I exist only in the present moment. Moments woven together create a beautiful story. Somewhere along this thread, embracing what is. Resistance appears, and I struggle my way through it. Can I let the struggle go, create space, and welcome what is? Or I don’t "need" to do anything. Much of the challenge is in the fighting of what I think something ought to be. What if I came to love this moment, myself, as I am? This is profound work.

I am learning to feel into this experience, to lean into what is occurring within. Shining my awareness on the somatic realm, that is, the feelings that live within. It is neither good nor bad, from the observer's perspective, from my perspective. The world simply unfolds, and I notice. I notice each moment, as a whole and passing moment.

And what am I, this self, this being? Who is the one that observes, who gives attention to this experience? I am that which is aware. In other words, I am aware of my awareness. Can I become more aware of, more present to life?

I notice how my life takes many forms, uniquely shaping itself daily. I must fine-tune, adjust, and adapt to what is presently unfolding. When there is significant difficulty, I must notice and let it move through. Embracing what is uncomfortable for I know there is another side. Comfort is ever changing. Plus, we have the power to cultivate peace and ease within, to find relief.

I notice the space that comes with peace and ease. It is vast, open, and expansive. What happens when I bring my awareness to the open space, and rest here? Can I find the little pockets of space inside of myself, and let them grow? What exactly am I observing when connected to this space? This inquiry and exploration provoke my curiosity.

I will pay attention to what is uncomfortable, to what causes friction, as I know it is in these places that encourage creativity, inspiration, and growth. I will look closer, and still closer, with an investigative and curious spirit, for it is merely a signal on this path I am traveling down. I seek merely to foster a loving relationship to the present moment, curiously and courageously walking on, trusting that this moment is perfection. It is a miracle to exist at all.

Life can present us with significant challenges and overcast a darkness that leaves us blind, afraid, and hurting. There exists an insurmountable pain, fear, and suffering we all wish to turn away from, but our hearts know it is there. I wish to understand, find a way to hold this, while also the incredible beauty. The life around us, trees, flowers, birds, and humans, the vast ocean, forests, and towering mountains. I must find a way to gently hold it all, just as it is. It is not easy, but I know we can move with this unfolding process, and open our hearts, eventually, gradually, and with practice. Humans are remarkable, with an awe-inspiring ability to carry compassion and empathy for life. I am learning and working to open my heart, with faith in this process, to love and light. With this trust, strength, personal power, and freedom can be created. Thank you for being here, for being you, for exploring the depths of your own being and potential.

Tyler