Waking Up

We can start our day with the happiness of a smile and the aspiration to dedicate ourselves to the path of love and understanding. We are aware that today is a fresh, new day, and we have 24 precious hours to live. 

As you wake up in the morning and open your eyes you may like to recite this short mindfulness verse, called a gatha.

Waking up this morning, I smile.

Twenty-four brand new hours are before me. 

I vow to live fully in each moment

and look at beings with eyes of compassion.

After you wake up, you probably open the curtains and look outside. You may even like to open the window and feel the cool morning air with the dew still on the grass. When you open the window and look out, see that life is infinitely marvelous. At that very moement, you can vow to be awake all day long, realizing joy, peace, freedom, and harmony. When you do this, your mind becomes clear like a calm river.

Try to get up from bed right away after enjoying three deep breaths to bring yourself into mindfulness. Let us not delay our waking. You may like to sit up and gently massage your head, neck, shoulders, and arms to get your blood circulating. You might like to do a few stretches to loosen our joints and wake up your body.

Drinking a cup of warm water is also good for our system first thing in the morning.                                                

Wash yourself or do what you need to before heading to work or school or to the meditation hall. Allow enough time so you don't have to rush. If it's still early, enjoy the dark morning sky. Many stars are twinkling and greeting us. Take deep breaths and enjoy the cool, fresh air. As you walk slowly to the car, to school, to work, or to the meditation hall, let the morning fill your being, awakening your body and mind to the joy of a new day.