Meditation Themes

Joyful Connection

Allow yourself 10-15 minutes of uninterrupted time.  Place yourself in a comfortable position; sitting, lying down, however you feel relaxed.  Close your eyes, and connect to a memory of a joyful time in your life.  Just go with whatever incident comes to mind with the feeling of giving you considerable joy.  Use all of your senses and imaginative faculties to live in that place of joy for one solid minute.

Remain in the state of comfort and open your thoughts to:  How does it make you feel to remember joy?  Was it easy or hard to stay in the state for the entire minute?  How can remembering joy influence your day-to-day life?

Invite gratitude for the re-connection to joy and to that memory.  The practice of gratitude for whatever the day brings reveals the side of life beyond the shadows.  Open your eyes and look around.  See what you are grateful for in your surroundings.  Is it the beauty of a plant, the sound of a colleagues voice, or the sight of your children and friends?