daily hope
Slow Down to Notice
10 minutes · Audio access options are available in the app
Related Scripture: Psalm 18:28 (recording quotes ERV). The linked Bible reader uses the World English Bible.
Meditation transcript
Transcript of the recording. Scripture translation labels describe the translation quoted in the audio.
0:00So many people speed through their lives, going from one task to another, and then they feel like their life is lacking in meaning and purpose.
0:13The problem may not be a lack of meaning, but rather a lack of time to notice meaning.
0:23Slowing down brings awareness, and awareness reveals purpose and beauty.
0:35If you're feeling a little disjointed or you feel like you're lacking meaning in your life, try slowing down a little bit.
0:50Okay, let's get started by allowing the body to relax.
0:57And when you're ready, let your eyes close like the sun sets.
1:09Take a moment to consider this verse: "Lord, you provide the flame for my lamp.
1:20You, God, turn the darkness around me into light." And again, "Lord, you provide the flame for my lamp.
1:36You, God, turn the darkness around me into light." Now bring your awareness to the space around the body, not really examining it, just noticing the space with an easy
2:15curiosity.
2:28Notice any sensations on the skin.
2:36Feel the clothes on the skin.
2:45Feel the temperature of the room.
2:54Listen to the sounds in the room.
3:03Just a nice easy focus on the sounds in the room.
3:24Listen to the gentle sound of your breathing.
3:32Notice the rise and the fall of the chest.
3:49Maybe the breath is shallow, or maybe it's deep.
3:56Both are okay.
4:00Just follow the breath as it moves through your body.
4:16Let the rhythm of your breath relax your mind.
4:34This is a safe place.
4:39God is watching over you.
5:00With ease, bring your attention to the breath.
5:18Take a few nice deep breaths.
5:26Make them feel easy and effortless.
5:48Feel life enter your body as you breathe in, and then release your tension as you breathe out.
6:18Inhale.
6:20Feel how the body expands.
6:25Then slowly exhale, feeling the body fall.
6:44Feel the air as it travels in through the nose, and follow the air back out through the mouth.
7:05Allow each breath to soften the chest and relax the shoulders.
7:15Begin to scan the body from the head to the toe, relaxing the body piece by piece.
7:32There's no way to do this wrong.
7:49And now, for a few moments, allow your mind to do what it wants to do.
8:01If it wants to think, then let it think.
8:07And if it wants to rest, then let it rest.
8:26Take this verse with you: Lord, you provide the flame for my lamp.
8:36You, God, turn the darkness around me into light.
8:56When you feel ready, slowly bring your awareness back to the breath and allow your eyes to open.
9:08Take a few deep breaths, in through the nose and out through the mouth.
9:19Notice how you feel.
9:24I hope you feel a little more relaxed.
9:28We'll see you again tomorrow, with hope, mindfulness, and prayer.