Inhale in long and deep.

Now holding the breath for a moment, holding, feel the fullness, and then very slowly

exhaling and continuing to rest with the breath, relax with the breath.

But let it be natural when the breath comes in, sense the possibility of yielding to the

in breath.

And as the breath goes out, a settling, let it go.

Where of a sense of collectedness that begins to happen when we're intentional.

And see if you can, in these moments, make yourself at home and what's happening by just relaxing a little bit more.

Just let go a little bit more in the body.

And just to bring a gentle attention to the heart as you reflect on your intention for the evening.

Taking these moments to sense what matters to you.

What brings you here?

Just to be aware of a quality of sincerity as you reflect right now.

You can even ask, is this sincere right now, this reflection?

Am I touching what matters?

Am I here right now?

Paying attention.

And perhaps letting what matters be a prayer that's whispered in your heart and your mind.

And it's from this quality of caring, of sincerity that we chant together as we open our evening as a sangha or community.

And we chant tonight, as many nights, the mantra Om.

And Om is a sound current of connectedness, of the truth of our belonging, of oneness.

So if you'd like to gently bring the palms together, centering the attention at the heart, chanting from the heart.

...