Many parts of the world are beginning to reopen, after a year of closure, isolation, and quarantine. Many of us have experienced collective and/or individual trauma, for various reasons, and sometimes in layers. We are less familiar with working, playing, or socializing in groups. Returning to what we once thought was 'normal' can be scary, stressful, and overwhelming. In today's meditation, we enter a refuge, a safe space within, where we can recharge our energy, reset our stress levels, and recover from overwhelm. Let's step out from our screens, and from the routines that we have gotten used to over the last year, knowing that we can retreat whenever we need to. This podcast is made possible by our subscribers on Patreon. Join our community at Patreon.com/theMeditationPodcast

The Meditation Podcast

Refuge

In today's meditation we practice self love, self healing, and self acceptance. Today is a longer meditation, so we're going to jump right in. You may wish to have a blanket handy, and a pillow to either sit on or rest your head on if lying down. This podcast is made possible by our subscribers on Patreon. Join our community at Patreon.com/theMeditationPodcast

Self Love, Self Healing

As we process our experiences from the past year, it may be useful to notice the relationship between our bodies and our stress. We know that emotional stress -- including anxiety, grief, anger, and fear -- can create stress in our bodies. But we may forget that the stress in our bodies can amplify our emotional stress as well. This creates a feedback loop, where our nervous system continues to create a stress response even long after a 'threat' is gone. This can create a backlog, where we are too busy to respond 'presently' because we are re-enacting and reacting to events of the past. In today's meditation, we use simple grounding techniques to relax our bodies and to discharge our nervous system's stress response. This podcast is made possible by our subscribers on Patreon. Join our community at Patreon.com/theMeditationPodcast

Grounding

The only constant in the universe is change. This year, around the world, many of us have faced overwhelming changes to our careers, relationships, health, safety, and daily life. As we in the northern hemisphere enter the dark and cold winter months, we may face heightened fatigue, uncertainty, anxiety, depression, stress, and difficulty in decision making. In today's meditation, we bathe in our Divine inner light. We allow this inner light to heal us, and to guide us through the darkness of winter. Whatever darkness you face, simply let your light shine on it; let this light reveal your greatness, your divinity, your peace, and your next steps. This podcast is made possible by our subscribers on Patreon. Join our community at Patreon.com/theMeditationPodcast

Inner Light Your Way

Not the city, but the nerve. The Vagus nerve is the nervous system's highway. Running the length of the spine, it is connected to all the organs in the body. It holds our body's responses to trauma, and plays a major role in how we deal with stress, anxiety, PTSD, and influences how we respond to perceived threats to our safety or well being. In today's meditation, we use deep breathing and intentional relaxation to soothe the Vagus nerve. The effect is usually a sense of deep calm. This podcast is made possible by our subscribers on Patreon. Join our community at Patreon.com/theMeditationPodcast

We're Going to Vagus!

The Meditation Podcast creates an extraordinary meditation experience for people in their everyday lives. Founded in 2006 by husband-and-wife team Jesse & Jeane Stern, TMP uses guided meditations, binaural beats, mindfulness, and 20+ years experience in Healing Arts. Please use headphones, and do not listen while driving or operating machinery. For our complete archive of meditations, please visit our web site or Patreon.com/theMeditationPodcast.