Dear Peace Architects,

Here is a short meditation script used during a floating lanterns ceremony (Yee Peng) in the Northern part of Thailand. The script is meant for the ceremony so it's rather short and concise. Since it was written for a Buddhist ceremony, it has some text mentioning Buddha and his virtue. The audience also sit outdoor under the moonlight as well. But I'm sure you can edit it and make it appropriate in your situation.

Meditation Guide Script for the Yee Peng Floating Lantern Ceremony

Suggested Time: < 15 minutes

Inner peace comes from the mind. To feel the peace of mind, we sit in a meditation posture by crossing our legs. But if you are unfamiliar with this, you can sit in a posture that makes you feel comfortable. Keep your back straight and your mind focused. Close our eyes softly and gently, so the mind can let go of everything. Fill our mind with joyful feeling. Let go of all worries, no matter what they may be.

Please take a few deep breaths to relax even more.

----- Short Break (10 – 15 seconds) -----

With each deep breath we take, we feel the flow of fresh air coming into our abdomen or the center of the body. It will flow deeply into our stomach. When the breath ends inside, our mind can feel a center space inside our body.  We just allow the mind to stay here.  The feeling is like the mind has come back home.  Let the mind stay here like it is its home.  Then, the mind will feel at home.

During the forthcoming silence, we feel our own peaceful mind staying still inside the body center.  Please let the mind stay in this peaceful moment for a while.

We observe this still moment, as the mind is peaceful.  The body center is the station of peace, and is full of peace energy. After a short time, the mind absorbs this peace energy, little by little. We then become more and more peaceful.  This is a precious moment in our life.

The original nature of the mind is bright and clear.  Peace energy will make the mind clear, and it will shine brightly from within.

----- Short Break (1 minute) -----

Gently and softly touch the center of the body with your mind. The golden full moon in the sky is shining in luminously.  Turn our gaze inwards, to the center of our bodies.  Our clear mind is shining with inner light.  When the mind is clean and clear, we can see that the center can also shine like the moon.

The Lord Buddha’s enlightenment brought to this world the knowledge of everlasting happiness, which starts from cultivating inner peace.  For more than 2600 years, countless people have practiced this Teaching and achieved happiness. The tradition of lighting lanterns in homage to the Lord Buddha, is to show our respect for his discovery. So, today we practice the ancient tradition of cultivating peace in our life.

----- Short Break (2 minutes) -----

When both the moon in the sky and the moon in the mind are shining, it is the right time to light up and release the floating lanterns.  We may slowly open our eyes.

Now we face the most important moment of this evening.  We shall let inner light beautify our mind.  At the same time, we allow the lanterns in our hands to float up high and beautify the solid night sky.  Let your inner light radiate and ascend together with the lanterns.  Allow the lanterns to take our message of inner peace to the skies, and beyond.

The chanting of the blessing, by the Buddhist monks, will add bliss onto your noble spirit.  Please remember to bring peace home, and share it with the ones you love and the ones who love you...