This meditation is about other people and our relationships with them.
Other people can sometimes feel very different to us,
In ways that can both overtly and more quietly make us feel very separate to them.
Them there,
And me,
And people like me,
Here.
This meditation is about bridging these sorts of distances.
Distances that are real,
But often sit in the background.
Distances that quietly,
But surely,
Can get in the way of connection.
So feel yourself sitting in your chair and shift your attention inward.
Take a few deeper breaths,
And if it's okay for you,
Gently close your eyes.
Feel the weight of your body in your chair.
Feel your feet on the floor,
Grounded,
Here,
And solid.
Be aware of how you are sitting,
And if it's comfortable for you,
Extend your spine in a way that feels natural and present,
And really here.
You are ready to do something important.
So bring to mind someone who is relatively important to you in your work.
It might be a client,
A peer,
A boss,
Or someone who reports to you.
And this is someone who,
Every now and then,
Disappoints you,
In some way,
Or many ways.
There is a little bit of friction there.
Rather than a 10 out of 10 level of ongoing discomfort,
I'd like you to choose someone who tends to be in the 3 to 6 out of 10 range.
Someone important enough to you and your work,
But who can rub you up the wrong way.
So get a picture of this person in your mind,
And place them in front of you,
Where you can see them in a way that's comfortable for you.
Sense them there in front of you.
You are here with them.
Now let's reflect on this other person with some statements about ourselves together.
This person is a human with a body and a mind just like me.
This person has feelings and emotions just like me.
This person has experienced happiness and joy in their life just like me.
This person has also experienced deep disappointment and sadness in their life,
Just like me.
This person has done things that they have regretted,
Just like me.
This person wishes to be free from pain and suffering,
Just like me.
This person has someone who loves them and relies on them,
Just like me.
And this person wants to live with health and happiness,
Just like me.
As we conclude this practice,
It's now time to extend some wishes to this person.
May this person have the strength,
Resources and support to navigate the difficulties that may emerge in their life.
May this person be free from pain and suffering.
May this person be safe from harm.
May this person have health and well-being.
May this person be happy and may they live with ease.
Because this person is a human with a body and a mind just like me.
