How to Live Your Yoga: Simplest Meditation Instructions, Ever.

How to Meditate (a poem)

In the morning

(Or anytime)

Wake up

Stretch!

And then—

Just sit

Or stand

But be still and quiet

Notice the now

Notice how the mind wanders, and where

All the time. All over the place. Everywhere and nowhere. Empty and full at once. A silly monkey. A bumbling puppy. A mirror. The ocean. This is the mind.

To the back then or the what-if

The past and the future. Any time but the present. Memories, plans. Nostalgia, aspirations. Regrets, expectations. Judgment. Sit and notice your mind without getting involved.

Come back to the breath

Keep sitting

Keep breathing

For the duration of a stick of lavender incense? Or a steamy mug of chamomile with honey? Or a song?

For one breath in and one breath out.

And another and another and another
oh how grateful i am for this life for this breath
thank you god for this day and this life

Rise up and go on about your crazy day

Carry the benefits with you

The calm, kind presence

The mindfulness

When anger arises,

When fear arises, when hatred arises, when ego flares up and shouts i am the best (or) i am the worst—when insanity arises—come back to the breath

This goes for formal meditation and daily live experiences alike

Give the merits away

Dedicate your efforts to the benefit of all beings

Press the palms together, look up at the blue sky, feel your connection to the green earth, bow forward and love

This is how we live our yoga

This is how we live our dharma

Namaste