Welcome.
This mindful practice is part prayer and part meditation.
It is about releasing anger and sending compassion to someone who may have caused you harm or someone else harm.
This comes as a special request from a friend of mine who is seeking to let go of anger but not sure how,
And I know this applies to many people.
If you believe in karma,
Then you probably believe that what you set out in the world comes back to you.
So it's dangerous to pray or wish ill will on someone else,
Because that can come back to us in a negative way.
If you don't believe in karma,
Consider the poor health effects you experience as a result of anger.
It takes energy to be angry,
And it harms your overall health and well-being.
In this experience,
I will keep the prayer neutral,
But you are welcome to call in what spiritual support makes the most sense for you.
In this practice,
We are seeking enlightenment for those we perceive to cause suffering to us or others.
If they were enlightened,
They would act with love and compassion.
We can also gently ask that they do no more harm.
So please join me in settling in for this deeply spiritual mindful practice.
Find a place where you can be undisturbed for the next few minutes.
Relaxing in a chair or perhaps lying down.
Getting as comfortable as you can.
Settling in to a gentle breathing in and out.
Notice your ribcage rise and fall as you inhale and exhale.
With each exhale,
Allow your body to soften.
Allow your body to become more relaxed.
I want you to begin by calling to mind someone who you believe embodies compassion.
This could be a spiritual leader or someone you know when you think of a deeply loving and compassionate person.
Who comes to mind?
If it is helpful,
Imagine that you are embodying the energy of this person for this practice.
And now I'll begin with an opening prayer.
Dear one,
Please guide my head,
My heart,
My speech,
And my actions.
I recognize that thoughts are energy that can set change in motion.
Help me to use these thoughts for the best and highest good,
Coming from a place of compassion.
At this time,
I'd like you to call to mind someone who causes you anger.
This might be someone you know,
A friend,
Family member,
Colleague,
Former romantic partner,
Or someone in the outside world you might have seen on the news.
Once you have this person in mind,
I'm going to gently suggest that instead of wishing them harm,
Wish for enlightenment.
We recognize that this person is a product of their life experience and they act the way they do because they are in pain or potentially emotionally unwell.
Remember,
Just like me,
This person was once a child.
In their vulnerability,
They learned lessons that might not have been helpful,
That they had to unlearn and relearn as they grew.
Just like me,
This person has known pain.
No one in this world should have to feel pain,
But it is a universal experience.
In this life,
We feel pain.
Just like me,
This person has known fear.
We all deserve to feel safe,
And yet in this life experience,
We have known fear.
I feel compassion for this person who has known pain,
Fear,
And suffering.
I feel compassion for this person who may have to unlearn unhealthy habits from childhood.
I send loving-kindness to this person.
If they had more love in their life,
They would behave differently.
I intentionally set in motion an affirmation.
The veil has been lifted.
This person is enlightened.
Through enlightenment,
This person seeks no harm to others.
The veil has been lifted.
This person sees clearly.
They move through life showing only love and compassion to others.
I feel compassion for this person.
And as I breathe in and out,
I send myself self-compassion and release all anger and attachment to this person.
And so it is.
Relax your mind and sit in this space.
I am going to be quiet for a moment and repeat this affirmation one more time.
And we begin again.
The veil has been lifted.
This person is enlightened.
Through enlightenment,
This person seeks no harm to others.
The veil has been lifted.
This person sees clearly.
They move through life showing only love and compassion to others.
I feel compassion for this person.
And as I breathe in and out,
I send myself self-compassion and release all anger and attachment to this person.
And so it is.
Relax your mind,
Breathing in and out calmly in this space.
Perhaps breathing in and out through your heart space.
Cultivating a feeling of love and compassion in your heart.
When you are ready,
Gently open your eyes.
Thank you for joining me.
