Welcome.
Hello again,
My name's Sheila,
Sheila Starrett.
So take a moment to settle into a position that feels as comfortable as it can right now.
And perhaps just breathe in easily and breathe out with ease.
We're talking again today about pain.
And just to let you know there's nowhere else you need to be,
Nothing you need to achieve in these next few minutes.
You're just finding a quiet place for yourself just while you listen to my voice.
And simply arrive.
Allow your attention to rest on your breathing.
Not changing it,
Not controlling it,
Just noticing the gentle rhythm of each breath as it comes and goes.
And now if it feels okay to do so.
Gently bring your awareness to your body.
You may notice areas of comfort.
You may notice areas of discomfort or pain.
Whatever you find,
See if you can simply notice it.
Without immediately trying to change it.
Or allowing it to change you.
Because there's no right or wrong experience,
Just this moment.
Now I'd like to invite a quiet question.
Ask your body.
What do you need from me in this moment?
There is no need to search for an answer.
Simply allow the question to rest within you.
Or without you if it may be outside your body,
But just allow it to rest within you and without you.
And you may notice an immediate response.
Or perhaps she may notice only silence.
And both are perfectly welcome.
Perhaps your body is asking for rest.
Perhaps gentleness perhaps patience or perhaps,
More than anything else,
Its longing for a sense of safety.
A feeling that,
Just for this moment,
It doesn't have to fight.
That it doesn't have to defend itself.
That it can simply be held in kindness.
In your kindness.
See if you can offer your body that gift.
Not because the pain disappears but because your relationship with it can begin to soften.
Now gently ask yourself another question.
What am I feeling emotionally in this moment?
Sometimes the answer comes easily.
Sometimes it doesn't.
Sometimes there's frustration,
Perhaps anger,
Fear,
Sadness,
Disappointment,
Confusion.
Or exhaustion from carrying this for so long.
Whatever is present,
Whatever you find,
If you find anything,
There is no need to judge it.
Emotions are not failures.
They are messengers.
And sometimes they simply wish to be noticed.
If no emotion comes to mind,
That's okay too.
You may simply become curious.
Perhaps later today or tomorrow.
Something may become clearer.
Sometimes our emotions reveal themselves gently when we stop trying to force them into the light.
It can feel surprising to think that emotions and physical pain are connected.
Yet our nervous system responds to everything we experience.
When we feel frightened,
Angry,
Overwhelmed,
Or under constant pressure,
Our bodies often become more tense.
And tension can make pain feel louder.
But this doesn't mean the pain is all in your mind.
It means your whole being matters,
Your body,
Your mind,
Your emotions,
Your spirit.
They are constantly communicating with one another.
So today,
Rather than trying to defeat the pain,
See if you can begin to understand it a little more.
Can you meet it with curiosity instead of resistance?
With compassion instead of criticism.
With acceptance instead of another exhausting battle.
Acceptance doesn't mean giving up.
It doesn't mean liking what is happening.
It simply means recognizing.
This is what is here in this moment.
And from that place something often begins to soften.
You stop using precious energy fighting reality and instead that energy becomes available for healing.
For living.
For finding moments of peace,
Even alongside difficulty.
Take one more gentle breath.
And quietly ask yourself,
What is one small act of kindness I can offer my body today?
Perhaps it's rest.
Perhaps it's movement.
A glass of water.
A walk.
A conversation.
Or simply speaking to yourself with a little more gentleness.
Or telling your body that you are listening.
Know that every small act of compassion sends a message to your nervous system.
I am here.
You are safe.
We will walk this path together.
Take another slow breath.
And as you return to your day,
Carry with you this gentle understanding.
You and your body are not on opposite sides.
You are learning to become allies.
And sometimes that is where the journey towards inner peace truly begins.
And perhaps we are beginning that journey towards inner peace.
Perhaps think about when you have felt such peace.
When you have felt.
And touch with yourself.
And thank you for being here with me today.
We'll meet again soon.
Until then,
Just take very good care of yourself.
