In today's practice,
We are going to intentionally release the feelings of shame and pressure that might feel exceptionally potent in our lives.
Often times,
When we feel like we've been particularly hard on ourselves,
We tend to weigh ourselves down.
We tend to cluster our mind with negative thoughts and as a result,
Dampen our precious life force.
This meditation is intended to open us up to our own heart,
To help us connect to ourselves on a deeper level,
And to extend compassion and forgiveness to ourselves where it is most needed.
Let's begin by sitting or lying down,
Allowing yourself to settle into your breath.
Feel the air move in and out of you,
Intentionally slowing down each exhale.
As you deepen your breath,
I want you to begin to think about how the feelings of self-inflicted pressure or shame have manifested in your body.
When these feelings come to mind,
Where exactly in your body do you feel them?
As you become aware of these sensations,
Simply observe them.
Don't try to change it,
Just notice in your body.
Continue to breathe deeply,
Becoming curious about how these sensations come up.
Do you feel a heaviness in your chest or a flutter in your stomach?
Just simply noticing.
Now take in a big deep breath,
And on the exhale,
Allow yourself to let all the sensations go.
Let go of the heaviness of the unsettling in your chest.
Take in another deep breath and really imagine releasing every last bit of these sensations.
Return to your normal breathing.
I want you to now invite your mind to show you how self-compassion feels in your body.
Allow your body to relax and don't try to force a sensation to occur.
Just focus on observing any feelings that arise.
Where exactly in your body does this sense of self-compassion occur?
Do you feel tingling in your fingers?
Are your neck muscles beginning to relax?
What would happen if you just let yourself be and embrace the love that wants to enter your being?
Begin to ask yourself,
How often do I intentionally give myself a moment to feel compassion for who I am?
Perhaps this is the first moment.
This meditation is an opportunity for you to start over.
To let go of every piece of your past,
For the past no longer exists.
No need to hold on to the shame of who we once were,
Or disappointments of who we feel we could have been.
You are an enlightened being.
You are here in this present moment.
Allow yourself to invite forgiveness into your body.
Each new breath deepen that feeling of forgiveness.
Let each breath nourish you and bring you closer to the present moment.
Next time feelings of pressure or self-doubt arise,
Remember that you are supported by your breath.
You are supported by the present moment always.
Self-compassion is a beautiful thing and when we practice it often,
We can connect deeper to our heart and begin to heal ourselves from shameful mindsets or thoughts.
Take in a slow deep breath and release it gently.
Thank you so much for joining me in today's practice.
I hope you leave this meditation feeling supported and more connected to your heart as you did when you began.
Return to this practice anytime you feel the pressure of life weighing you down or just need a moment to reset and connect to your own self.
I hope you have a wonderful rest of your day.
