Hello and welcome to today's practice.
Let's begin by finding a comfortable position,
Either lying down or sitting up.
Begin to close your eyes and connect with your breath.
Imagine something difficult that you have been going through.
It doesn't have to be the most difficult,
But something moderately difficult for you.
We want to practice with moderation before we move into the most difficult situation.
Now,
Recognize your desire to push away the difficulty,
To reach towards something that would soothe the difficulty in the moment.
Maybe that's reaching out to someone or reaching for something such as a candy.
Or maybe that is distracting yourself with technology or denying that difficulty is actually happening.
Take a deep breath in and exhale out.
Now,
I invite you to the awareness of a large figure of compassion and strength who envelopes you in a blanket of love,
Acceptance,
And security.
This can be a cloud of compassion or a grandmotherly figure.
Anything that feels loving and kind to you.
Now,
Imagine this figure is holding you.
Begin to turn towards the difficulty,
To face it head on.
There is no need to be scared.
Feel this wise being enveloping you and speaking kindly to you.
It will be okay.
You are okay.
You are lovable.
You are enough.
You are not alone.
And we will get through this together.
Let yourself offer and receive loving and kindness through these statements as many times as you need until your mind and your body can soothe and slow down.
Each time you notice yourself reaching for the old familiar way of turning away from discomfort,
Try gently turning towards it.
The more that we train the mind to acknowledge and name whatever difficulty is present,
It won't feel as challenging.
And in addition,
Your limbic system and your amygdala will send a signal to your sympathetic nervous system that you can psychologically relax.
Take a deep breath in and release.
Bring your awareness back to your breath.
Feeling your chest rise and fall.
Being in this present moment.
And when you are ready,
Gently begin to open and close your eyes.
Bringing your awareness to this outer world.
And when you are ready,
You can begin to move your body.
Thank you for joining me in this practice.
Namaste.
