Hi,
So today I'm going to do a meditation with a compassionate image that we've been exploring for the last three days and this time it's an open one that comes pretty much directly from the Compassion Cultivation Training which I am a certified teacher of and then you can decide what image you choose.
So let's close our eyes,
Find a comfortable posture where your chest is open and receptive and your body is straight and then cultivate a compassionate image that represents a source of wisdom,
Strength,
Love and caring for you.
This could be an image of a wise person whom you deeply admire and respect.
It could even just be the image of a light at your own heart or the image of an expanses and deep blue ocean or any other natural image like a firmly rooted tree or the sun.
Or if you're a religious person it could be an icon that has deep meaning for you.
It doesn't matter so much what this image is,
It just matters that it represents unconditional presence,
Love,
Compassion for you.
And if you're not so much a visual person you can just think of this image and that will suffice.
And then feel that in the presence of this compassionate image you can be completely yourself,
Nothing more and nothing less.
There's no need for pretension.
You don't have to be trying to be something other than what you are and who you are.
It just sends a relief in this.
There's often so much trying in our everyday life,
So much doing.
Here there's no judgment,
No critical voice of reprimand.
Instead what you simply find is acceptance with warmth and tenderness.
What does that feel like?
You may sense a slowing of your heart or a sort of dropping in your nervous system,
Settling.
This is what we're always looking for,
To be loved,
To be understood just the way we are.
Retain this compassionate image as you breathe.
Then as you breathe in visualize warm light rays emerging from your compassionate image which touch all parts of your body.
As these light rays touch you imagine they could soothe you,
Ease your suffering and give you strength and wisdom.
Just wishing for yourself to fully receive this.
May I fully receive this and open to the unconditional nature of love for me.
If this is difficult for you,
See if you can allow compassion from your compassionate image for this difficulty.
There's a reason it is difficult for us to receive unconditional compassion.
So whatever this difficulty is allow yourself to receive compassion for that.
And then taking this receptivity right into your silent meditation.
If that is what you're doing now you can pause me and turn this recording back on when you're ready to come out.
Taking one more moment to sit in this relaxation,
In this knowing that you can always drink from the source of compassion whenever you need it.
And then opening your eyes,
Receiving what you're seeing and making a commitment to take that with you,
That knowing,
That resting.
And I wish you a beautiful day or evening or whatever comes next.
