Checking-In: A Guided Meditation by Jill Satterfield

by Jill

Tulip Closeup by Melina Meza

It’s not often enough that we check in with ourselves and ask ourselves how we are or notice how we are feeling physically, emotionally and mentally. But this is precisely what we need to do more of. This fruitful self-reflection (svadhyaya) and taking of our own pulse so to speak allows for more conversation between body, mind and heart. It offer the self knowledge we need to take better care of ourselves, and decide how we might best practice according to how we are feeling that particular moment or day. We need to see things as they are, in the present moment, to know what to do about what we see and make skillful choices.

So today I’m offering you a video of a short, guided meditation that you can practice at the beginning of your asana session. 

You can also practice this meditation after your asana session. If we check in again at the end of our practice, we can know exactly what that particular practice offered us in terms of benefits to body, heart and mind. We embody the practice by recognizing its benefits. In this way we are experimenting all the time to see what works best—practice these postures, this breath technique, this focus for our meditation—and notice each time what each practice has to offer and why we might wish to do it again and for what reasons.

Self- inquiry is an integral component of any spiritual practice (see The Power of Svadhyaya, Part 1). Checking in is a simple start to self-inquiry and self-care. Kindness and wisdom will naturally blossom from this practice over time.

Jill Satterfield is the founder of Vajra Yoga + Meditation, a synthesis of yoga and Buddhism that combines meditation, yoga and contemplative practices. Named “one of the 4 leading yoga and Buddhist teachers in the country” by Shambhala Sun Magazine, Jill has instigated mindful and creative educational programs for over 28 years.

She is also the founder and Director of the School for Compassionate Action: Meditation, Yoga and Educational Support for Communities in Need, a not-for-profit that trains teachers, psychologists and health care providers to integrate mind and body practices into their professions. SCA also provides classes to people in chronic pain, with illness, those suffering from PTSD, and at-risk youth. Jill teaches workshops internationally, is a faculty member of Spirit Rock Meditation Center’s Mindfulness for Yoga Training and the Somatic Training in Marin, California, and is a guest teacher for many other training programs. To find out more about Jill, visit her website vajrayoga.com.

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