Compassion.
Compassion is key with dealing with our abandonment issues.
When we are growing up we solely rely on our caregivers.
That's the way we understand the world and if we have caregivers that are emotionally unavailable or physically unavailable then that can reflect into our lives.
We tend to go inwards with ourselves.
We tend to beat ourselves up for who we are because we feel like we're not good enough.
Why is this person not giving me the emotion?
I must be doing something wrong.
Why is this person not here?
I must be doing something wrong.
And this is something that actually can happen beyond childhood as well.
In relationship breakdowns,
Friendship breakdowns,
Whatever it may be we can go inward on ourselves and tell ourselves the story that we're not good enough.
And this causes self-abandonment.
So physical and emotional abandonment throughout our life can cause us to abandon ourselves.
So today we're going to work on returning to that part of ourselves that we've abandoned.
Now the key to this meditation is being gentle with ourselves.
It's not about hoping to overcome every single issue we have in one go.
It's more about processing the emotions as they come up.
A lot of the time this can be a rollercoaster ride.
It might not be the happiest of experiences.
You're going to experience all sorts of emotions when you're trying to face the version of yourself that you're not too comfortable with.
So be okay with that and whatever feelings arise just accept them in the moment.
So what we're going to do today is we're just going to go through some mindfulness practices focusing on our feelings.
And then what we're going to do is we're going to try and invite the old version of ourselves back into the space that we are living in now.
To realize that we are okay exactly as we are.
Our need for acceptance can make us invisible in this world.
Don't be afraid to shine in all your glory.
I'm going to help guide you through this process.
So firstly all I want you to do is just find comfort in your environment.
However that may be for you.
You can be sitting upright,
You can be lying down.
I just want you to get comfortable where you are.
Once you are comfortable I would like you to close your eyes and just focus on your breath.
You don't have to do anything with it.
Just simply notice the natural rise and fall of your chest.
Listen to your breath as it goes inward and outward.
And with this recognition we accept the present moment.
We feel the now which is where our emotions are right now.
The only place that they exist.
Focus on your breath.
As I said whatever emotions arise right now accept them.
If tears begin to fall that's okay.
If calmness ensues then that's lovely.
Just accept what you're feeling.
Don't be too hard on yourself.
Allow the feelings to come to you.
And as you continue focusing on your breath I would like you to repeat these three phrases that will help you prime your mind for realizing who you really are.
Repeat after me.
I am powerful.
I am capable.
I am worthy.
You are worthy of love,
Self-acceptance.
Feel that self-acceptance in the present moment.
The mindfulness of your breath will help you be present.
Just allow my voice to guide you.
Now in your mind's eye I would like you to imagine a version of yourself that you have abandoned.
The part of yourself that you've suppressed to find acceptance from others.
You're not alone with this by the way.
We all have parts of ourselves that we hold back from the world due to insecurities and a lack of self-worth.
Me included.
So this is all about recognizing this,
Being mindful of this and also being gentle with ourselves and feeling the present moment.
And this version of yourself is upset.
Look at this version of yourself.
What does it require from you?
What does it want from you?
What does it need from you?
Take a look at it's sad expression,
Your sad expression.
Give yourself a hug because this version of you is perfect.
Every version of you is perfect.
Love yourself for who you are.
You feel warmth from this embrace.
You realize you're finally accepting the version of yourself that you suppressed for some time.
That's wonderful.
Now I'd like you to look into the eyes of this version of yourself.
Tell a story that you'd like to tell it.
Something positive and uplifting.
Imagine if a friend came to you with problems and insecurities.
What advice would you give your friend?
Be loving towards this version of yourself.
The more we practice this self-compassion,
The more we will be self-accepting and self-loving.
And then we can move forward from that part of ourselves that we suppressed and abandoned from a young age.
Now I would like you to imagine this version of yourself merging with you.
Like a light coming inwards and stepping into your soul.
Reconnect with yourself.
Feel yourself again fully for who you are.
Repeat after me.
I love myself exactly for who I am.
Now allow yourself to feel good about this version of you.
You've done so well for accepting it.
Really feel the goodness and wellness that comes from being the truest version of yourself.
Give you a minute to really feel this great feeling.
You are doing so wonderfully.
As I said this is all about being gentle with yourself.
Now for a moment I would like you to just refocus back on your breath.
Become mindful of the present moment again.
Become aware of the rise and fall of your chest and the air going in and out of your body.
The world can be a tough place at times.
Sometimes there's pressure put on us.
Unfair pressure that makes us try to fit into this ideal version of what the world wants to see.
We do this in so many areas of our life.
You do not need to hide yourself from the world.
When you are fully yourself the people that belong in your life will be attracted to your life.
You attract good experiences and good feelings along the way.
Now as I said this journey of self-acceptance isn't always easy.
So after this meditation just be gentle with yourself.
Allow yourself to unwind and naturally just fall back into the flow of being.
Just remember that you can always return to this gentle meditation whenever you need to.
Once again really well done for today and well done for taking the first step towards self-acceptance,
Self-love and accepting yourself for who you really are.
