An Aspirational Meditation in 12 Stanzas

Open Mind
Clear Vision
True Speech
Warm Heart
Calm Center

Open Mind
Open Vision
Open Speech
Open Heart
Open Center

Clear Mind
Clear Vision
Clear Speech
Clear Heart
Clear Center

True Mind
True Vision
True Speech
True Heart
True Center

Warm Mind
Warm Vision
Warm Speech
Warm Heart
Warm Center

Calm Mind
Calm Vision
Calm Speech
Calm Heart
Calm Center

Open Mind
Clear Mind
True Mind
Warm Mind
Calm Mind

Open Vision
Clear Vision
True Vision
Warm Vision
Calm Vision

Open Speech
Clear Speech
True Speech
Warm Speech
Calm Speech

Open Heart
Clear Heart
True Heart
Warm Heart
Calm Heart

Open Center
Clear Center
True Center
Warm Center
Calm Center

Open Mind
Clear Vision
True Speech
Warm Heart
Calm Center

On each in-breath, I hold the first word. On the out breath, I hold the second word, and bring the feeling of that concept to the part of my body referenced (head, eyes, mouth/throat, heart, gut).

I try to consider that each term is both an adjective, and thus a thing to aspire to (a True Heart, an Open Vision, etc.) as well as a verb instructing me how to attain that state.

When I notice my mind has wanderd, I try to pick up where I left off, or back at the beginning.

This is how I’ve been going to sleep lately, unless I’m too tired to do anything but breath counting. When I have time, I try to go through it in the shower as well.

I don’t know if it’s making me a better person, but it feels good to remind myself that I aspire to be curious, capable, and compassionate.