Exercise- Visualizing the Body’s Cells of Light
by meditative - July 5th, 2010.Filed under: Insight Meditation Exercises.
Adapted from “Boundless Healing”~ Tulku Thondup
Preparation: This is a sitting meditation. You want to sit in a position that is stable and comfortable- allowing yourself to be physically at ease and mentally alert. Your spine should be more or less straight- holding your upper body erect as if you were pulling it up slightly (*see- “Posture”- “Intro. Readings” for more info.). Eyes can be slightly open or closed depending upon your ability to remain undistracted and alert. Relax your muscles with some simple diaphragmatic breathing- normally and naturally- calming and quieting your mind and body (*see- “Breath”- “Intro. Readings” for more info.). Peace of mind/heart and body are pivotal in our healing exercises.
To imagine each cell in your body is illuminated with radiant light- is to call forth a particularly vital healing energy. In many traditions, “light” offers powerful potential. It can be visualized as clear or white- or the spectrum of a rainbow. The matter of our bodies and its energies can be manifested as “light”– they are simply different expressions of the same thing. In contemplating “light”, we are touching the essential quality of our nature and existence.
Practice: Sitting in a comfortable and stable position, you start by connecting with your breath- naturally and normally breathing in and out throughout the body for a couple of minutes… allowing yourself to sense a calming and quieting of mind and body. When ready and as best you can- visualizing in whatever way your mind allows the “light” of your body- its beautiful, radiant, and liberating quality.
With the “mind’s eye”– visualize that your body is made up of billions of cells- and these cells are cells of light. Feel the radiance and warmth- the light blossoming in each cell throughout the body- bringing health and healing to each cell.
Slowly visualize this “light” in every part of your body. See its luminescence; its purity and radiance- whether it be translucent, white, and/or rainbow colored. See the expansive and limitless nature of all these cells of light throughout. Begin with your head- then your neck- and then move on to your upper body. Take the time you need to visualize all these cells of light in each area of the body- their radiance and their healing aura.
When ready, slowly and gently move your attention to your arms, hands, and fingers. See the blossoming, shining, and radiant light- all the healing cells of light…
When ready, shift your attention to your abdomen- your legs, feet, and toes- the billions of cells of light- warm & radiant- pure, white, and/or colorful.
Now see the whole of your body- the trillions of cells- amazingly bright & healing. Feel the healing light that shines and radiates forth throughout your body. Rest and rejoice in this feeling of having a body of light. Relax in this feeling of freedom and peacefulness without grasping or analyzing it. When ready… as best you can… slowly and gently coming back into the activities of the mind and body outside of our focused attention & open awareness.