For some of us,
We find giving and helping other people and supporting and encouraging other people in their struggles to be very easy,
Something that we enjoy doing.
And yet when the coin is flipped and when we are the one with the struggle,
When we are the one going through changes in our lives,
When we are the one who needs help and support,
Sometimes it's very difficult to ask for it and to receive support.
Brené Brown in her book Rising Strong writes,
We accept our dependence as babies and ultimately with varying levels of resistance,
We accept help as we get to the end of our lives.
But in the middle of our lives,
We mistakenly fall prey to the myth that successful people are those who help rather than need and broken people need rather than help.
So meditating on receiving and giving.
So bring one hand into your lap if you're seated on a cushion or seated in a chair.
Bring one hand into your lap with the palm facing upwards.
Then bring the other hand in front of your chest or just outward with the palm facing outward.
This is a mudra or a position of the hands that we often see the Buddha to be in with the hand in your lap being reminiscent or the idea of receiving.
And the hand that is held up palm facing outward is the symbol of giving.
Noticing your breathing so that as you inhale and as you exhale,
Each breath is relaxed,
Each breath is authentically yours.
And now with the inhalation,
Think to yourself,
I am receiving.
And with the exhalation,
I am surrendering.
Breathing in,
I am receiving.
And breathing out,
I am surrendering.
Each in-breath bringing your attention to the palm in your lap.
In each out-breath,
Bringing your attention to the raised palm.
Inhaling into the palm in your lap,
I am receiving.
And exhaling into or through the raised palm,
I am surrendering.
And exhaling through the palm in your lap,
I am receiving.
And exhaling through the palm in your lap,
I am receiving.
And exhaling through the palm in your lap,
I am receiving.
