I have been feeling a little anxious lately. It’s no wonder with all of what is going on in the world. I have stopped listening to the news. I have started watching comedy acts on YouTube and watching funny movies. I sometimes have a tightness in my chest whenever I start to think about everything. I force myself to stop thinking and breath deeply. The breathing works to calm me. These are times that we must be kind to ourselves.
I found this 20 minute meditation from Kristin Neff, PhD. She is one of the world’s leading experts on self-compassion. This meditation will help to improve your mood and guide you to be more supportive of yourself and others. Give it a try. Let me know if it helps and how you are coping during this time. Sending lots of love! I’m grateful for you all!
Find a comfortable and kind posture.
Close your eyes. Come home to your body and notice the feeling of your feet on the floor, or your seat on the cushion. Notice any internal sensations that may be arising right now. You may notice the beating of your heart, the feelings of pulsing energy. Remind yourself that you're not just bringing awareness to your experience, but loving and kind awareness. Adopt a physical gesture that represents this caring attitude, perhaps by putting both hands on your heart. Notice how your body responds to the physical touch, the warmth of your hands. Feel free to leave your hands here for the entire meditation or put them down if you like.
Bring your awareness to the breath.
Take a few deep breaths: big inhalations and a big exhalations. Allow yourself to release as you exhale, then let your breathing return to a normal, natural rhythm. Your mind will probably wander and when it does, simply call back your attention with the same quality you might use with a puppy that's wandered off: gently usher it back to where it needs to be in the moment. Just let your awareness rest in your breath, breathing in and out.
Nurture yourself with each in-breath.
Pay particular attention to the inhalation and notice that as you breathe in, you're giving yourself what you need in the moment. You're nurturing yourself with each in-breath. If you are struggling in any way in your life, breathe in some other quality that you need: kindness, love, compassion. Breathe in this quality with each inhalation. Perhaps there's a word that rests easily on each in-breath, a word that represents what you need. Or perhaps it’s more general—a golden light, a quality of warmth. Allow yourself to receive something good with each inhalation.
Send compassion to someone with your out-breath.
As you breathe out, bring to mind someone you know or are aware of who is struggling and needs compassion. Allow their image to arise in your mind's eye. Direct your out-breath to them, sending them what they need in the moment. Kindness. Love. Compassion. Again, this may take the form of a word that gently rides on your exhalation, a feeling of warmth, an image of golden light. With each out-breath, send something good to this other person who is also struggling.
Acknowledge that all human beings struggle.
Breathe in something good for yourself, like compassion and kindness. Breathe out something good for this other person. In and out—one for me and one for you. If your mind starts to wander you can refresh the image of yourself or of the other person in your mind’s eye. Maybe put your hands on your heart once again to physically connect you with the sensation of care. Breathe in the ease of compassion for yourself, and out the ease of compassion for the other.
Send compassion where it is needed most.
If at any point your attention is drawn more to your own struggle or suffering, feel free to breathe in and focus more for yourself. Perhaps: three for me, and one for you. Or conversely, if the other person is drawing your attention more strongly, you can focus more on the out-breath, sending out the compassion they need. Or just let your breath be an equal, easy flow. In and out, in and out, like the waves of an ocean. A limitless, boundless ocean—enough for me, and enough for you. An ocean of compassion.
Let yourself be absorbed by the breath of compassion.
Breathe in, and breathe out. Compassion in, compassion out. No limits or boundaries. You can hold your own suffering fully, and also hold the suffering of this other person. Ride it like the waves on the ocean. If other beings come to mind who are suffering, or even groups of people, from this place of limitless, boundless compassion you can breathe out for them as well. Always include yourself with each in-breath. There’s no need for separation. Let this ocean hold all suffering in love and compassion.
Release your focus on the breath and the practice.
Simply come back to your body. Allow yourself to feel whatever it is you’re feeling in this moment, and to be exactly as you are.
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