The Practice of Remembering

I wanted to share a meditation practice that is helping me connect to a deeper understanding of myself. I’ve been feeling pretty disoriented lately, as I’m sure many of you can relate to in your own way. I’m finding it challenging to stay grounded in myself, not just because of the changes happening in our world or in my personal life, but because I have changed. I’m not the same person I was in the before, and while I trust in the process of growth and change, I’ve also felt as if my stress has swallowed the parts of me I love most.

I’ve found support in my memories—specifically, the experiences from my past that awakened my creativity, joy, and lightness. When I connect to these qualities within myself, I feel at home. They’re also the qualities I struggle to connect with when I’m feeling overwhelmed or anxious. Focusing on my memories in my meditation practice is helping me drop below the narrative at the center of my stress into a deeper knowing of myself.

This practice was inspired by a beautiful gift I received from Maison Margiela Fragrances. Matcha Meditation by REPLICA captures the essence and ceremony of real Japanese matcha tea. The master perfumer, a yoga teacher herself, bottled a place, time, and ritual that felt meaningful to her. I was so inspired by the creative process behind the perfume that it sparked a new way of thinking about scent and memory. I started to use it in my meditation practice as a tool for rediscovering myself.

Before I meditate, I like to begin by creating space for my practice. I use Matcha Meditation by REPLICA as a room spray to engage my senses and shift my attention from the craziness of my day to a quiet moment with myself. Then I think about a memory that taps me into a quality I want to remember. For example, if I’m craving a connection to my creativity, I think back on a memory that marks the origin of my love of flowers. When I was young, I used to spend hours making wreaths and potpourri with the flowers I picked from my mother’s garden. I can still smell the musty scent of the dried roses, marigolds, and lambs ear. When I reflect on this memory, I can see just how much that time in my life shaped my understanding of who I am.

I would love to guide you through this practice and invite you to rediscover yourself through the art of memory. Take a moment to contemplate a quality within yourself that you’d like to experience—a part of you that you’ve forgotten. Think of a memory that captures the essence of this quality.

To begin, sit comfortably. Gaze at a still point and relax your eyes. You can close them if you’d like. Bring your attention to your breath. Observe your body breathing and use your exhalation to release any tension you may notice in your face, shoulders, or abdomen. When you catch your mind wandering, simply bring it back to your breath.

Now bring your memory into focus. See yourself in that moment. Paint a vivid picture in your mind. What do you see? What do you hear? What do you smell? Take a few minutes to relive the experience in your body.

Imagine breathing the memory into your lungs—the scent, the colors, the sounds. Let it fill you up.

What does it feel like to be you in that moment? What aspect of yourself has reawakened? Observe your breath and notice any shifts in your energy.

Stay with this feeling as long as you’d like.

When you’re ready, slowly deepen your breath. Release your chin towards your chest. If your eyes are closed, gently crack them open and take in the room. Take your time coming back into the space.

You can reflect on your experience in meditation—details about your memory that revealed themselves to you; what it felt like to revisit your chosen place and time; or how your memory connected you back to yourself.

Memory is a tool that can help us see ourselves more clearly through the lens of our past experiences. Incorporating memory into my meditation practice has grounded me in myself and reminded me that I’m always becoming more of who I truly am. This process of rediscovery has inspired a much deeper understanding of myself.