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stations:release

July 5, 2009

Posted in: stations:awaken, the gathering

RELEASE

At this station you will be using the act of breathing as a way to engage surrender and release.  For a full explaination of the practice you can read page 12 in the Awaken booklet.

* Lightly notice the speediness of your breath and thoughts.

* Remember your desire for God in the form of a prayer or wordless feeling.

* Begin breathing slowly deep down into your diaphragm-stomach area.  You can put your hands on this area and feel it swell out with your in-breath.  Gradually fill your lungs from this bottom point inward.

* Hold the breath briefly, but without closing your throat.

* Release your breath very slowly, twice as slowly as you breathed in.  Pause at the bottom of your breath briefly with a very still mind.

Continue this rhythm of breathing for a few minutes or longer, but now with the specific intent of breathing in all that is of God, and breathing out all in your body and mind that is not.  You need not think of anything in terms of content; just retain a naked intent to be filled from head to toe with all that is of God, and to release whatever may come between you and God.  In the process let your body and mind sink beneath the crowded, surface tension to that more spacious and free place where you are confidently grounded in God.

KIDS OPTION

* Read to or with your child the book provided, Journey to the Heart. 

* Engage silence together as adult/child. 

* Ask questions about the experience of silence.

* Pray together that you will both be AWAKE to God.