Compassionately relating to desire.
This is a mindful exploration of an area of desire when we are in our drive system that is connected with suffering.
We'll be opening ourselves to what may be underneath and finding a compassionate way to relate to it.
So let's find ourselves in a comfortable position connecting with qualities of openness,
Spaciousness and warmth inside ourselves and around us.
Perhaps taking a few deeper breaths in through the nose and out through the mouth and then allowing the breath to find its own soothing rhythm.
Connecting with an attitude of warmth and kindness towards yourself.
In this exercise you're invited to explore an area of desire or attachment in your life which feels rather uncomfortable and can be a source of suffering.
So just choose an area that feels okay to explore right now.
Maybe something has come up quite recently when your drive system was activated and it felt uncomfortable.
And just in case nothing much shows up right now I can offer you a few examples.
It may be a desire to eat unhealthy foods,
To smoke or drink alcohol.
It may be a desire to buy things you don't really need.
A desire to play games,
Compulsively check emails or scroll social media.
It may be a sexual desire or a desire to be seen by others and need to be right,
To be funny or to be admired.
So let it be a desire that you experience regularly in your everyday life and you find difficult to resist.
Something that can easily cause frustration or feelings of shame or guilt when you're in this script.
And then if an area has come up,
So bringing it to life by imagining a recent situation where this desire was prominent.
Imagining you're feeling the desire right now as if you're again in that same situation.
And you can imagine it becomes stronger and stronger.
But even when the object of your desire comes closer and closer you will stand the temptation to satisfy it.
And now exploring the inner landscape of desire with the curiosity of an explorer.
Being open to every detail of it.
How's the desire affecting your body,
Your posture?
What's happening in your face,
Your chest,
Your belly?
What about the muscles and different parts of your body?
What's happening to your emotions,
To your mood,
The state of your mind?
And while you're observing the nature of desire,
Just letting some questions to drop in.
Not needing to force the answer.
Perhaps there are no answers.
Perhaps there are several answers.
Either is okay.
Just allow yourself to be open and perhaps let yourself be surprised.
So just asking yourself,
Is there anything lying underneath this desire?
Is there perhaps an emotion or a deeper need hidden under the desire you're exploring?
What is actually going on under the surface?
Is there a deeper longing for something you really value?
And listening with your heart for possible answers while gently repeating these questions in various forms.
And if nothing in particular comes up,
Just continue to explore the nature of desire as it shows itself moment by moment.
And observing your reactions.
And then perhaps probing again what resonates while the question sinks in deeper.
And if something comes up,
You're invited to respond to it with a kind,
Compassionate wish.
Meeting the deeper needs of yourself as a vulnerable human being,
Who shares similar needs with many others.
And just welcome what comes up.
Perhaps a wish for calm and patience.
A wish for comfort,
Understanding or connection.
Or a wish to simply give space to whatever shows itself.
Perhaps a wish to be loved and accepted.
A wish to be free.
And then gently repeat the wish.
And if you like,
On the soothing rhythm of the breath.
Or independent from it.
Offering it to yourself.
And just sensing how it is received.
And continuing with this practice for as long as you wish.
