What Motivates You to Be Here?

Hi. Sam here. Welcome to the first audio exercise in our "Mindful Parenting" collection. This exercise is designed to accompany audio lesson number one, and in it, we're going to dive into your motivations for being here. Let's start by just getting into a comfortable seated or lying down position, and really give your body and mind permission to arrive here in the present moment. Notice your feet supported by the floor and notice the weight of your body supported by whatever surface you're resting on, and then just take a nice, slow, deep breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. And on your next deep breath, see if you can feel your lungs and abdomen expanding and contracting. And now we're going to invite a question as if we're dropping a pebble into a large, clear, calm lake and just watching what ripples in the water. We're not forcing an answer, but just witnessing images, thoughts, emotions, and sensations that arise, and the question is, what brings me here today? What brings me to this course today? See if you can let go of any effort or judgment as you just notice and witness any thoughts, images, emotions arising. And we'll ask another question, the same question, but just a little differently. What really brings me here today? What's really bringing me here today? Maybe you're noticing a feeling of love and yearning for connection with your child. Maybe you just wanna be a more present parent, and then just allow the question to fade into the background. And to close our practice, let's send phrases of loving kindness to ourselves and our child or children. Turning toward yourself first, we'll send these wishes to you from the most loving part of yourself. May you feel confident and assured as a parent. May you connect with your inner wisdom as often as possible. And feel free to add a wish of your own for yourself as you start this journey. And now holding yourself and your child in mind, we'll send the following phrases to both of you. May we feel connected. May we feel joyful and at ease. And take a slow, deep breath, noticing any emotions and body sensations that are present. And when you're ready, just gently allowing your eyes to open. (gentle music) If you found this helpful, feel free to share it with a parent friend, and when you're ready, check out the next lesson for a deep dive on the emotion culture of your home, what it means, and how you can create the ideal emotion culture for you and your family. Take good care, and I'll see you back here for the next lesson....