Mindful Moment: Just Like Me

Mindful Moments from Action for Happiness, number 3 of 12

Empathy and connection with others are hugely important to our own happiness. In our very individualistic world, we can easily get into the perspective that we are different from others. In this exercise, we will explore how others are, in fact, just like us.

Transcript

Hi, And welcome to this Mindful Moment practice, Just Like Me. In this exercise, We're going to be exploring empathy and our sense of connection with others, And we'll begin in a familiar way. So just notice how you're sitting right now, Where your body is in contact with whatever is supporting you, And do what you need to do to let go of any tension and feel a bit more at ease. We'll begin with a couple of slower than normal breaths, In through the nose and out through the mouth. And as our breathing stabilises into a rhythm that feels good for us, We can allow ourselves to begin to relax the muscles of the face, The forehead, The jaw, Bringing some ease to our neck, Letting the shoulders drop, Releasing the belly, Just enjoying breathing in a natural way. And now I want you to call to mind someone who's important to you, Someone that you care a lot about and have warm, Uncomplicated feelings towards. Try to really feel their presence in front of you. Notice how that feels. Now think to yourself, This person has a body and a mind, Just like me. This person has ups and downs in life, Just like me. This person has hopes and dreams, As well as disappointments and sorrow, Just like me. And now let's turn our mind to someone that's a little more distant, Perhaps a stranger or neutral person, Maybe someone that we pass regularly in the street or see at work but don't really know. And notice how that feels, To be present with them. Now think to yourself, This person has a body and a mind, Just like me. This person has ups and downs in their life, Just like me. This person is important to somebody, A parent, A sibling, A child, A friend, Just like me. Now bring to mind someone with whom you have a little bit of difficulty or discomfort, Maybe not the most difficult person, But someone that you feel a bit in competition with or perhaps someone who just doesn't see life in quite the same way. Notice how that feels, To be in contact with them. And think to yourself, This person has ups and downs in life, Just like me. This person has hopes and dreams, As well as disappointments and sorrow, Just like me. This person is important to somebody, A parent, A sibling, A child, A friend, Just like me. This person wishes to love and be loved, Just like me. So finally, Before we end this exercise together, Let's picture all three in front of us now. A friend, A stranger and someone we find difficult. Remember, They all share this basic yearning to be happy and free from suffering. On this level, There is no real difference between them.