daily hope
Living Simply
10 minutes · Audio access options are available in the app
Related Scripture: Psalm 23:1-3a (recording quotes NIV). 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.
0:01To live with simplicity is a choice.
0:07Our minds don't like to be idle.
0:12It's easy to pick up our phone or look at the internet.
0:18But to simply exist without distraction takes practice and effort.
0:30Today, as you meditate and go about your day, make a note when you feel that urge to distract yourself and choose to be present in that moment.
0:46Choose to live simply.
0:54Okay, let's get started by allowing the body to relax.
1:02And when you're ready, let your eyes close like the sun sets.
1:13Take a moment to consider this verse, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.
1:26He leads me beside quiet waters.
1:30He restores my soul." And again, "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.
1:52He leads me beside quiet waters.
1:57He restores my soul." Now, bring your awareness to the space around the body, not really examining it, just noticing the space with an easy curiosity.
2:44Notice any sensations on the skin.
2:52Feel the clothes on the skin.
3:02Feel the temperature of the room.
3:10Listen to the sounds in the room.
3:19Just a nice, easy focus on the sounds in the room.
3:40Listen to the gentle sound of your breathing.
3:48Notice the rise and the fall of the chest.
4:05Maybe the breath is shallow or maybe it's deep.
4:12Both are okay.
4:16Just follow the breath as it moves through your body.
4:32Let the rhythm of your breath relax your mind.
4:50This is a safe place.
4:55God is watching over you.
5:16With ease, bring your attention to the breath.
5:34Take a few nice, deep breaths.
5:42Make them feel easy and effortless.
6:04Feel life enter your body as you breathe in.
6:11And then release your tension as you breathe out.
6:34Inhale.
6:36Feel how the body expands.
6:41Then, slowly exhale, feeling the body fall.
7:00Feel the air as it travels in through the nose, and follow the air back out through the mouth.
7:21Allow each breath to soften the chest and relax the shoulders.
7:31Begin to scan the body from the head to the toe, relaxing the body piece by piece.
7:48There's no way to do this wrong.
8:05And now, for a few moments, allow your mind to do what it wants to do.
8:17If it wants to think, then let it think.
8:23And if it wants to rest, then let it rest.
8:42Take this verse with you: "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not be in want.
8:54He leads me beside quiet waters.
8:57He restores my soul." When you feel ready, slowly bring your awareness back to the breath and allow your eyes to open.
9:24Take a few deep breaths, in through the nose and out through the mouth.
9:34Notice how you feel.
9:39I hope you feel a little more relaxed.
9:43We'll see you again tomorrow, with hope, mindfulness, and prayer.