So as you get seated this morning,
Perhaps just noticing if there is any place in your experience where some gentleness,
Some tenderness might be naturally arising.
Knowing that you don't have to necessarily go hunting for it.
But just resting in a very soft exploration of your experience right now.
And if there is somewhere in the body or the mind where this tenderness might be thriving.
Or at least the seed is being nurtured.
And if you catch the scent of that softness or something that might be close,
Just allowing yourself to feel into it.
Explore it.
And develop a relationship of interest with it.
You might notice that even with our eyes closed that seeing is still happening.
And colors,
Shapes.
Perhaps seeing if there is any part of the awareness that can receive this experience with that same quality of gentleness.
Receiving sight as a gift.
Perhaps orienting the awareness toward hearing.
As we receive this stream of experience at the ear door.
If there might be a quality to the awareness that receives the preciousness of each fleeting moment of sound.
With care.
Attuned to the worthiness of the world being heard.
Just remembering that it doesn't have to be an overwhelming sense that we're feeling.
But rather just a gentle appreciation.
Receiving this experience of sound like holding a child or a baby bird delicately with care.
And if you'd like bringing the awareness and these gentle qualities to the experience of the body.
Just seeing if there is a place of tenderness as we receive this ocean of physical experience.
Perhaps noticing the fragility inherent in the body.
The tenderness required to care for it.
And if you are able to feel into any experience of gentleness.
Allowing those sensations to nourish your heart as much as possible.
Resting into this subtle aspect of kindness.
Allowing it to permeate the skin.
Saturating the muscles.
Moving into our bones.
Seeing how the body needs this tenderness.
To sustain itself like water.
Just seeing if there is any place of mental or physical hardship that arises.
That that can be an invitation into deeper connection and caring.
Any place of longing or wanting.
You can feel the ache in the heart.
Wrap it gently in a cloth of metta.
Understanding that cares.
So trusting that we can experience these sense doors.
As an aspect of kindness and generosity.
Receiving these experiences.
With tenderness.
When we can.
And when there is a connection made to kindness.
Taking full advantage to bathe in it.
To allow it to permeate the mind and body.
Strengthening.
Supporting.
Knowing that when we lose the thread.
We can bring to mind.
The being.
That's easy to care for.
And connect again with this sense of caring.
Gently fanning the embers of kindness.
In our mind and heart.
Knowing.
That's it sensations will come and go.
Trusting.
