Basking in the Warmth of Energetic Joy

When you have some time, find a sunny place outdoors—perhaps sitting on the beach, or simply sitting out in the sun, feeling the warmth of its rays.

Or, if you prefer to stay inside, you can sit by an open window, letting the sunlight stream in and touch your skin. If the sun isn’t out, you can sit comfortably before a fire. And if that’s not possible, you can light a candle, burn some incense, or even just imagine being near a fire.

Just imagine yourself on a cold night, sitting by a campfire in the evening.

So, the practice is this: as we sit with the sun, taking in its warmth, we pay attention to what we feel. Notice the sensation of warmth on your skin, and simply relax.

Feel how this warmth helps you to soften and let go. Imagine the warmth entering through your skin, moving down into the channels of your body.

Feel the sun’s heat circulating throughout your whole being—the heat of your blood, your metabolism, your muscles, your nerves.

As you do this, see if you can sense an emotional warmth and joy arising—the joy we recognize from being in the sun. Feel it throughout your whole body.

Allow yourself to reconnect with that quality. Feel it in the center of your body. Let it fill your central channel.

Feel that warmth in your heart, at the center of your being. Let it pervade your entire body. Let the warmth pervade your whole heart. Let the joy pervade your whole mind.

There is such a simple pleasure in sitting in sunlight, feeling its warmth. It feels good.

The energy of fire is all about ripening and maturing. Fire purifies. It burns away negativities. Fire is the elemental energy of creativity and accomplishment. It gives us energy. It is a source of bliss and joy.

See if you can feel this energy pervading your whole body.

When you're feeling uninspired, dull, or low on energy, you can connect with the fire element.

When negative mind states or habitual patterns arise, we can burn them in the fire of our practice.

We can use our mind to bring fire into the parts of our body that feel sick, or that need warmth and healing.

Connect with this warmth—from the sun, from fire, from your heart—and send it to any part of your body that needs healing or purification.

Let it purify what’s there. Let it energize and invigorate your healing process.

When you feel weak or uncertain, connect with the fire element—its strength and creative vision.

When you feel bored or uninspired, connect with fire to awaken your strength and creativity.

Breathe it in. Let the fire warm your whole body, energize your whole body, and generate joy throughout your whole body.

As this meditation comes to a close, feel the warmth and joy in your entire being.

And now, send it out to all beings:

May all beings have a warm, joyful heart.
May all beings purify any obstacles or illnesses in their body.