Hello,
Welcome to this short meditation on nurturing self-acceptance.
Begin by finding a quiet and comfortable space where you can relax without any distractions.
Sit or lay down in a position that feels right for you and take a moment to settle into your body in a way that is supportive and where you can allow yourself to become present in this moment.
Slowing down and gently closing your eyes if that feels right.
Bring your attention to your breath,
Slowly turning inward,
Noticing the natural rhythm of your breath and its pattern.
And take a deep inhale now through your nose and as you exhale through your mouth let go of any tension or stress that you might have been holding on to.
Taking a few more deep breaths,
Allowing each exhale to release any tension and create a sense of relaxation.
Now start to shift your awareness to your heart center and see if you can visualize or sense a warm glowing light at the center of your chest that is radiating with love and compassion while also acknowledging all the ways in which you may be hard on yourself.
And see if you can feel this light expanding with each breath,
Filling your entire body with its soothing energy.
As you continue to breathe,
Bring to mind any thoughts or feelings of self-doubt or self-judgment that may be present with you.
And see if you can simply acknowledge them without judgment or criticism and instead observing them with compassion and curiosity.
Allowing your heart to acknowledge any other perceived flaws or mistakes or challenges in your personality.
And again directing love,
Humility and compassion towards these aspects of yourself.
It could be a part of you that you often struggle with or criticize.
But the goal is to acknowledge it and approach it with tenderness and care.
Offering your own comfort,
Understanding and acceptance.
Now imagine yourself sitting in a serene garden.
This garden represents your inner sanctuary,
A safe place where you can nurture and accept all of yourself fully.
And take a moment to observe the beauty of this garden,
The colors,
The smells,
Perhaps the flowers and the gentle breeze.
And give yourself the permission to feel a sense of peace and tranquility.
As you explore this garden you come across a mirror and this mirror reflects your true essence,
Your authentic self.
And imagine picking up this mirror and gazing into it,
Noticing your reflection and all the unique qualities that make you who you are.
And with each breath repeat these affirmations to yourself.
I am enough just as I am.
I embrace and accept myself fully.
I am deserving of love and compassion,
Especially from myself.
Breathing in and breathing out,
Allowing these affirmations,
Even if they don't seem to sink in at first,
To permeate every cell of your body and every corner of your mind.
Inviting a profound sense of acceptance and love flowing through you,
Or perhaps just an invitation to be a little bit sweeter to yourself.
Now take a moment to think about all the experiences,
The events,
The challenges,
The achievements that have shaped you into the person that you are today.
Embracing both the light and the shadow,
Which we all have,
And recognizing how they have all contributed to your growth and resilience.
Breathing in and breathing out,
Remembering you are a unique and beautiful individual,
Worthy of love and acceptance.
See if you can hold this truth in your heart as you continue to breathe deeply,
Knowing that this is good medicine for you.
And taking a few more moments to bask in the energy of self-acceptance and self-love.
Again,
Allow it to radiate within you,
Guiding you towards a deeper sense of inner peace and contentment that isn't reliant on the external world.
And when you're ready,
And gently bring your awareness back to your breath,
To your present surroundings,
And wiggle your fingers and toes and slowly open your eyes.
May you carry the sense of self-acceptance and compassion with you as you navigate through your day.
And remembering that self-acceptance is a journey.
It's okay to have ups and downs.
And each time you lose yourself,
Just pick back up and come back home.
For when we can love ourselves more deeply,
We're able to love the world and others just a bit more.
Thank you for taking the time to practice this meditation.
May we all be well.
May we all be happy.
And may we all be free.
