Heart Meditation for Cultivating Self-Compassion

This is a talk and guided meditation from the Insight Meditation Community of Washington’s 2017/2018 New Year’s retreat. It includes reflections on how cultivating compassion towards ourselves is essential for our own well-being and happiness—and a key to opening our hearts to the suffering of others. It concludes with a guided self-compassion meditation.

Reviews

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Love the slow pace of the meditation. Allows time to reflect on each component. Practiced kindness and acceptance towards my wandering mind.

Thank you for the gentle reminder that the body may die but the spirit lives on forever. Some people think grief happens only when someone dies. They may not know that it is possible to grieve deeply for someone who has a progressive cognitive illness. The poem you shared by Thích Nhất Hạnh reminded me that my mother is still with me. I am in the process of losing my mother to Alzheimer’s but it is reassuring to know if I look deeply enough I can still find her. Disease cannot take her from me. Her spirit goes on.

Most helpful and hopeful session to all that I have done to this point in my journey. Love the suggestion of doing a 5min loving kindness and or forgiveness meditation before daily meditation, although this now will be my daily meditation as the pace and guidance was so helpful. Thank you Hugh 🧘‍♀️

Thank you, Hugh. I am learning so much from your guided meditations.

Perfection. With eloquence , tenderness , wrapped up with an artistic bow of fluidy rhythm and so much love. What a talent source has bestowed upon you. Grateful that it has been shared with our brothers and sisters. In gratitude and adjust a little not more self compassion this afternoon - 🤍🖤❤️

Amazing 🙏
Many thanks for this wonderful session - the talk, the story from Thich Nhat Hanh, the meditation and the poem at the end: All included so much love and care. With deep gratitude 🙏

A wonderful thouthful reading and meditation. Thank you.

Thank you for this wonderful teaching. Namaste 🌛💜🌜

oh the Quivering of the heart
as it finally feels the pain
that so long has denied
the truth of ultimate reality
we have tried so hard to hide

and it finally emerges from the shadows
and is mirrored so creatively
in our immersive dreams
and the breath of our awakening

oh the quivering of the heart
of this world
that’s been torn apart
divided into disparate parts

and when ewe hear the calling
of the SOS that’s broadcast
from the rooftops of our mind
we must heed the warning
and take shelter there inside

and perhaps to find the answer
is to heal with love in time
and accept this being human
has no permanent comfort zone
that we purchase for long in life

oh to calm the raging emotions
and to find the peace of mind
to go into the stillness
and be embraced by Love divine

to see the gift of compassion
humbles us as it reveals
at the heart of being human
we must accept our vulnerability

Poetic journey to self acceptance and self compassion

Your calm voice is the one I look for when I’m stressed. Your message always touches my heart. Namaste 🙏🏼

Thank you Hugh! I’ve learned a lot from your guided meditations!

WOW - so very profound and powerful! Thank you! 🙏 😊 ❤️

Both informative and comforting. Thank you so much for the beautiful work you are doing!

Very instructive talk. I didn't know about the sympathetic joy, although it makes sense. I need to do the meditation again as I was lying down and fell asleep. Thank you.for your teachings and warm presence! 🙏🌳🍃

Thank you Hugh for a beautiful, heartfelt talk. It helped me shed the tears I was finding so hard to let go...

I am visiting with family to support my sister coping with Alzheimers. This meditation helped ground me, providing some self care in a difficult time. I love the way Hugh incorporates such wonderful poetry into his talks and practice. Thank you, Hugh.

Genuine presence with the experience of uncomfortable body sensations, emotions, and allowing what is to be as it is.

Thank you so so much. I haven't really had a concept of self-compassion. I frankly thought it sounded rather self-indulgent. But in fact it was a very sweet and gentle experience. I may do it again