Rest as Resistance (S4E9)
The truth is, awareness of the world can be exhausting. Being in a marginalized body or being an ally to marginalized bodies can leave our nervous systems fried. We need to rest in order to remain resourced to continue resisting the very systems that oppress us. Not to mention, that under a capitalistic and patriarchal society, resting itself is an act of rebellion and resistance! This meditation will guide you towards feeling and finding rest in your body.
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Transcript
I strongly encourage you to lie down for this practice if you have that option, or find a different but equally restful position.
If you are feeling activated or extremely agitated, you can orient yourself by looking around the room and making a mental note of what you're seeing as a way to ease the system.
Take a few full breaths here.
With each exhale, imagine you want to sink your body more deeply into your support, almost like you're laying on sand, and the intention is to make a deeper imprint.
Become aware of your body and invite it to relax.
possible you're showing up to this practice with a lot of energy, a lot of desire to move or act, which of course is normal and welcome.
This practice aims to balance that energy out. You may want to focus on a meditation object or anchor.
And I'm going to encourage you for the next few minutes to try just resting.
Keep an extremely gentle touch on awareness of whatever you might be hearing, noticing, or thinking.
If you get lost in a thought, try to notice thinking and do so as many times as you need to, keeping the touch gentle.
Think of it like touching all five fingertips ever so lightly on a table. But the table is feelings, or thoughts, or sounds.
Continue inviting your body to relax as you're receiving these objects of attention.
You don't need to lean forward physically or touch these objects metaphorically. Instead, continue imprinting your body deeply into your support and simply receive.
The bell will ring in a few moments. Until then, let go of practicing in any particular way and rest in the space that has been created by your practice.
Thank you for your practice. Until next time, take care of yourself because that's how we can best take care of others.
