Welcome to my mirror work meditation.
So this exercise is a very powerful way of instilling a sense of self-love and acceptance but it can also be very confronting and can make you feel quite vulnerable or bring up lots of emotions so you're not alone in this.
You will need a handheld mirror or a wall-mounted mirror is fine but you want to feel comfortable so get a chair and make sure you feel at ease before we begin.
So before you look in the mirror just allow any of that resistance or fear to be here acknowledging that you may have some real fears about doing this exercise and take some comfort in knowing that this is challenging for all of us.
We've been socialized to critique and pull things apart rather than love ourselves so just allow that to be there.
Maybe even say a little welcome message to yourself as we begin.
This is your time to be with you,
To come home to your own heart.
So when you're ready start to gaze at your own image in the mirror.
Taking a big deep breath in and exhaling fully,
Releasing any tension there,
Letting the shoulders drop a little,
Unclenching the jaw or releasing any tension in the face.
Just start to let your body settle and relax and gently gazing into your own eyes in the mirror.
It's not your skin or your hair or any other feature,
We're not fixing or changing anything,
Just gaze into your own eyes.
Let yourself simply look and be seen by you.
You might even notice some judgments arising and that's really really normal.
We have an inner critic who might be critiquing or picking faults or trying to fix or change something but it's not what this is about today.
Today we are just connecting with ourself.
I am here to connect with me.
Maybe even saying to yourself I see you and I choose love instead.
Bring a softness to your gaze.
I am here now to connect with me.
And then take your time and maybe even repeat after me the following statements.
I am worthy of unconditional love and acceptance.
I don't have to be perfect to be lovable,
In fact my imperfections tell my story.
I see my struggles and my victories in my own eyes.
I see my journey,
My loves and my losses.
Now just breathe here,
Being with yourself.
And if it feels okay maybe even placing a hand or two on your heart.
Repeat these affirmations while holding your own gaze.
I accept you exactly as you are.
I forgive you and release you from the burdens and pressures you've carried.
You don't need to prove your worth anymore.
I love you from the inside out.
Pausing and breathing here,
Letting those words just land in your body.
If it feels vulnerable or tender just allow it.
If there's tears let them come.
Honouring all parts of you.
Even those parts of you that might feel unworthy or insecure or like it's never enough.
I want you to look into your reflection and say to those parts,
I see you.
You are only trying to keep me protected.
And I thank you for working so hard and so tirelessly all these years.
You don't have to do this anymore.
I release you from all the burdens and pressures.
I'm sending kindness now.
Just imagine waves of kindness towards that image you see in the mirror.
Maybe even taking some deeper breaths now in through your nose and releasing all the way out.
Still holding your own gaze if you can and just offer some final words here.
I choose to deeply love and accept myself from here on in.
Maybe there's even another few words you want to offer.
Or maybe just a gentle smile,
Just a soft little signal of that acceptance.
Acceptance of yourself.
One last breath here and then when you're ready just blinking softly,
Starting to orient yourself to your day.
You've just practiced one of the most courageous and brave forms of self-love.
Seeing yourself exactly as you are.
Well done,
You're amazing.
Namaste.
