Working With Emotions

In this mindfulness meditation practice, Bailey guides us back home. When thoughts bring in emotions, this practice honours the emotions and allows them to take space in the body. Get ready to feel the sensations that the emotion brings into the body and listen to the emotion like a friend or guest.

Transcript

Getting into a comfortable seated position, Allowing your eyes to close or simply lower the gaze, Allowing the checklist that you have, The plans, Ideas, Thoughts, Fade into the background as we focus on the body, The breath, And the present moment, Feeling into your seat, Allowing gravity to push you deeper, Allowing the arms to be heavy, The face to soften, And the breath to resume, Noticing the pace that the breath is taking, Just following the in-breath and noticing when the in-breath turns into the out-breath, We're taking a moment to make our bodies the priority, And thoughts may come to the forefront, And that's what we're looking for, And you may find that the thoughts are very persistent, Maybe they have a charge to them, And this charge is making you feel, And let's look deeper into this feeling, Allowing this thought to really bring up this emotion, Not getting carried away, Just allowing the emotion to come forward, And feeling the sensations in the body, Pretending that this is the first time we've ever experienced this emotion, Where do you feel it in the body? What does it feel like? Is it hollow? Tense? Is it a wave of heat? Whatever is coming to you is correct, And allowing yourself to just be with this sensation, Fully experiencing this again, Like it is the first time, You may notice that the thoughts are egging on the emotion, Allowing the thought to fall away, And really put your full attention into the sensations that are happening, You may find that the sensation moves, Shifts, Or changes completely, You may be able to name the emotion you're experiencing, And it's okay if you can't, And now imagining inviting this sensation, This emotion, To come sit with you, Like you're having tea with a friend, Asking this emotion, What is it that you need? I hear you, What is it that you need? And allowing the breath to ground you if this feels too much for you, Again, Sitting and being aware of the emotion, And how it may shift or change, Or maybe a new emotion has come to sit and join for tea, Really listening, You may notice any sense of aversion, Wanting to escape, Not wanting to engage with these emotions as they may feel uncomfortable or unpleasant, And just recognizing this aversion, Noticing that there is a sense of discomfort, And wanting to escape, And now turning to the emotion, Thanking them for their time, Escorting them out, And telling them that you'll see them later, And returning your attention back to the breath, Noticing its pace, Feeling into the points of contact with the chair, The floor, Taking a last few breaths before we end our meditation,