So this is a seated meditation that is created to acknowledge the stigma that can be associated with the decision to end a pregnancy.
And before we begin,
Just wanting to acknowledge that you may find yourself here as you may be in the process of contemplating ending a pregnancy,
In the midst of ending a pregnancy,
Or having just ended a pregnancy.
And dealing with all of the thoughts,
Emotions,
And feelings that come with that.
Acknowledging that individuals decide to end a pregnancy for a myriad of reasons.
And no matter the journey that has brought you to this moment,
It is your moment to breathe and just be.
Inviting you now to find a position that best supports alert awareness and your body's needs.
You may choose to lie down on a mat or on your bed.
You may choose to be seated on a chair or a cushion.
But selecting that place now.
Settling in from your day.
Taking a moment to fully arrive to this meditation practice.
Noticing the felt sense in the body,
Any areas of unease,
Tension,
Or dis-ease that you may be feeling.
And attending to that area now.
Noticing the breath.
No need to alter or change it.
Just noticing what's here.
And for the next few moments just acknowledging the judgments and assumptions that are made regarding individuals that choose or decide to end a pregnancy.
We'll acknowledge that there are three types of stigma that we will address in this meditation.
There's internalized stigma,
Which is the stigma that you feel inside,
That your mind is telling yourself.
Perhaps that you're a bad person,
Or how could you find yourself in this particular situation,
Or you're wrong for making the decision that you feel is best for you and your body.
Then there is anticipated stigma,
And that's the stigma that you think of when you consider sharing your decision with a family member,
Or a friend,
Or a loved one.
And you anticipate what their reaction is going to be,
And the judgment that may be there.
And the third type of stigma is called experienced stigma,
And that is the stigma that happens after you've shared it with a family member,
Friend,
Or a loved one.
And they do judge you,
And make you feel poorly about the decisions that you've made,
Making you feel like somehow you need to be forgiven for making a decision that best supports you,
Your life,
Your future.
And so taking a moment now as we think about internalized,
Anticipated,
And experienced stigma,
Perhaps you've experienced this,
And maybe you haven't,
But noticing what's arising,
Even as you think of these different types of stigma that are imposed by society.
Recognizing that each individual that finds themselves in this process of ending a pregnancy.
For some people that decision is easy,
And for others it is not.
There are varied experiences,
All of which should be honored.
Forgiveness is not needed.
Some may feel relief with their decision.
Some may experience extreme sadness and anguish with their decision.
But whatever may be here,
Recognizing that you are worthy of thriving,
You are worthy of love,
You are worthy of living a life with dignity,
You are worthy of care and respect that centers your needs,
You are worthy of being,
Of existing.
Recognizing the weight that can come with the decision that has been made to end a pregnancy.
It's important to honor that you do not have to carry the burden of stigma.
Let it go,
So that you can fully focus your energy on caring for yourself,
Your needs,
Your life,
Your future,
Your freedom.
So taking a moment to notice the breath.
How has it changed or stayed the same throughout this meditation?
You may find it helpful to take a few deep breaths here.
Perhaps in through the nose for a count of four,
And exhale for a count of six.
We can do that together.
Inhale through the nose,
Two,
Three,
Four,
And exhale,
Two,
Three,
Four,
Five,
Six.
Inhale,
Two,
Three,
Four,
And exhale,
Two,
Three,
Four,
Five,
Six.
And as we end this meditation,
Extending to you words of loving-kindness.
May you be free from suffering.
May you be free from the weight of stigma.
May your life unfold with ease.
May you be happy.
May you be well.
