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Introduction One of the things that many of us enjoy anticipating is a vacation. A vacation that provides the opportunity to unwind, relax, and rejuvenate in a way that best suits us. Sometimes, we would like to have a vacation even though our next one may be weeks or months away. That’s where a 5-minute vacation comes in. In just 5-minutes you can unwind, relax and rejuvenate so that you are better prepared to deal with your day. When you are “jangly” and want to be “calm and centred”, find a quiet spot for 5 minutes (a washroom will do) and take a 5-minute vacation. In this meditation, we ask that you imagine your favourite relaxing vacation spot. For some, that might mean lying on a beach feeling the warmth of the sun on your body and listening to the sounds of the waves breaking on the shore. For others, the location is a secluded mountain retreat where there is nothing but you and the great outdoors. You get the idea. Take a moment now and find out which of your favourite vacation spots comes into your consciousness. Use that location for the following meditation – an opportunity to unwind, relax and rejuvenate. The 5-minute vacation meditation First, pay attention to your breathing. Notice as you breathe in and as you breathe out. Gradually slow and deepen your breathing. As you breathe in, imagine that you are breathing in light. As you breathe out, imagine that you are breathing out anything that is not of the light – simply let it go as you exhale. Know that the angels and other beings of light will whisk it away to a place where it can do some good. As you begin to unwind, imagine that you are in your favourite relaxing vacation location. Take a few moments to remember why this is a favourite spot for you. What do you see? What do you hear? What are you touching? What is touching you? What scents can you smell? What tastes can you savour? What do you feel? Imagine that you are experiencing this very special place in all its glory. Open yourself to the full experience. Feel yourself relaxing and rejuvenating as you spend the next 2 or 3 minutes enjoying this special place. When you are ready to return to ordinary consciousness, once again pay attention to your breathing. Notice as you breathe in and as you breathe out. Gradually become aware of your physical surroundings. When you are ready, take another deep breath, open your eyes (if you have had them closed) and stretch, ready to move to whatever is next in your day – relaxed, refreshed and rejuvenated! |
| 5 MINUTE VACATION MEDITATION |
| Meditation to overcome fear We can try this following simple visualization to let go of fear and anxiety. Sitting in a comfortable position for meditation, with a straight back, we close our eyes and breathe naturally through our nose. Then we spend a little time identifying what it is we are currently afraid of. We identify our deluded, unhealthy fears, such as the fear of dying, the fear of loss, the fear of failure, and so forth. Using our wisdom, we understand that all these fears, and all dangers, arise because of our deluded minds and negative actions. We then visualize these fears together with their actual causes (negative minds and actions) in the form of dense thick smoke, and we breathe it out. This smoke leaves our nostrils and disappears to the furthest reaches of space, where it completely disappears, never to return. As we inhale, we imagine we are breathing in all the pure, inspiring energy and fearlessness of all holy beings in the form of blissful white light, which fills our body and mind. After meditating like this for a while, we feel that our body and mind are now completely pure and that we have received the blessings and protection of all holy beings. Our body feels light and supple, and our mind is clear, peaceful, and fearless. |
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