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Meditation on the New Year

Audio Dec. 26, 2020
A bronze sculpture of an angel holding a palm frond in its left hand and raising its right towards the sky.
For last year's words belong to last year's language. And next year's words await another voice.
T.S. Eliot

Enjoy this meditation on the new year, paired with Victory by Augustus Saint-Gaudens. Follow along with the audio or text below.

Step-by-Step Meditation

  1. Find a comfortable position as you gaze at the sculpture.
  2. Contemplate the name of this work: Victory. What about this sculpture might make you feel victorious?
  3. Take a moment to reflect inwardly on the past year. Where have you experienced victory in your own life? Inhale acknowledgement and appreciation for this victory and exhale as you release this success into the world.
  4. Now, notice the pose of the figure in the sculpture as it steps forward, arm extended, gazing upward. These movements make the figure appear to be reaching toward something.
  5. Close your eyes. Breathe deeply as you begin to visualize what you might be reaching for in the New Year. This could be a specific goal or a more general resolution. See yourself victorious in this endeavor by visualizing the actions you must take to succeed.
  6. Breathe slowly as you cultivate confidence in your ability to experience your own, personal victories in the coming year.