Meditation: What Faith Surfaces Within Us
Meditation: What Faith Surfaces Within Us
Before we begin this course on faith, understanding your own relationship to faith will be an important starting point so that you can recognize when your own perceptions and stories are impacting your receptivity to this material. So let's pause for a moment, and see what this topic elicits for you internally.
Settling into meditation
Sit comfortably, closing your eyes or leaving them gently focused in front of you. Let the breath slow down, taking a few slower inhales and exhales. Allow the breath to come naturally while the body comes to stillness.
Notice your reaction to the idea of faith
Notice how your body feels when you hear the word faith. Is there a tightening or constriction? Does the chest feel expansive and light? Or does the word land without much impact at all?
There's no correct response, just notice how you feel.
What stories do you tell yourself about faith?
As you continue to hold the idea of faith in your awareness...
Notice what stories or memories float to the surface.
Is it something you find comfort in? Or does it make you uncomfortable to remember when you've been told to "have faith"? Maybe your memories of faith don't elicit much at all.
Being with what arises
Take some time to breathe with whatever emotions or stories are here right now. See if you can meet them with a sense of kindness and curiosity. How would it feel to approach the idea of faith with the same sense of kindness and curiosity?
Notice if it's possible to let the idea be in this moment, without adding anything extra from the past or imagined future.
If your previous experiences still factor strongly into how you receive this word, that's OK. Treat yourself with kindness, and let that be a reminder to you to be gentle with yourself as you take this course.
With the awareness of what is here, we can more easily meet ourselves with compassion.
When you're ready, you can open your eyes or lift your gaze and end the meditation.