Welcome to this guided meditation that combines awareness of the breath with compassion for the self.
To begin,
Settling to a seated position,
Elongate your spine,
Relaxing your shoulders,
Inviting a sense of ease as best as you can and closing your eyes or maintaining a soft gaze when you're ready.
Grounding your attention into the surface beneath you,
Whether that is a chair,
The floor or something else and notice that you are supported.
Sense the energy of the space supporting you,
Noticing the energy or presence of the surface holding you as well as that of the air surrounding you.
Taking a few long clearing breaths in any way that feels comfortable for you,
Inviting your thoughts to soften with each out breath.
Noticing the natural flow of your breath for a few moments of silence,
Allowing the breath to flow at its own depth and pace.
Each breath we take supports the body,
So each breath is like an act of love.
Inviting yourself to breathe with this awareness,
Allowing each breath to be an offering of love to your body.
As you inhale,
Feeling a sense of love,
Compassion and kindness growing inside you.
Allowing each exhale helps to soften your thinking mind and any tension you might be holding.
Allowing each breath to fill you with love.
Awakening that energy of self-compassion.
As you continue to breathe now,
You may like to repeat,
I love myself with each breath I take.
I love myself with each breath I take.
I love myself with each breath I take.
Sensing into the energy of compassion that may fill you now.
Feeling it from the inside and from the outside.
Surrendering to this space in stillness.
If you notice your mind wanders away,
Simply returning to the flow of your loving breath.
Sensing into this loving breath for a few final moments now.
And gently now releasing any words from your mind.
Allowing your breath to return to its natural flow.
Sensing into the surface supporting you.
Reconnecting with your physical body by welcoming some light movement.
You might gentle wiggle your fingers or your toes.
And whenever you are ready,
You can slowly open your eyes.
Letting loving breaths continue to support you throughout the day.