An exercise from "The Life We Are Given"
by George Leonard and Michael Murphy
This exercise can be done alone but is especially effective with a group. Find a place where you can speak aloud without disturbing anyone or feeling self-conscious. Start by sitting as you might sit in meditation, on a cushion or in a straight-backed chair, hands on your knees. Check your posture, which should have a feeling of groundedness, uprightness and openness.
Close your eyes and send awareness through your body, locating and relaxing the tense places. Choose one of your affirmations. With your eyes still closed, take three deep breaths, then say the affirmation in a clear and resonant voice and with strong intentionality. Take another breath and say it again. Continue for at least ten minutes--more if you wish.
A strong image of your affirmation as if already realized might come to your consciousness during this exercise, but this isn’t necessary. Here, the power of words is what counts. At first, the words will have clear cognitive meaning. If meaning later becomes secondary to sound and if the sound of your voice is more like music than talk, be willing to let this happen.
This exercise tends to gain transformative power with the length of time you can keep it going. You might find it rewarding to continue for quite a long while.
When you finish, whether alone or with a group, remain seated while taking three deep breaths. Then lie on the floor on your back with feet about shoulder-width apart and arms a few inches out from your sides, hands palm up. Simply lie there in a state of acceptance, thanksgiving and alignment with the universe. Take your time reentering your workaday life.
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