15:27

Fierce Friend

by Kristin Neff

Rated
4.7
Type
guided
Activity
Meditation
Suitable for
Everyone
Plays
13.4k

Fierce Friend Meditation: This is a guided visualization designed to be used as a practice to cultivate the awareness of our ability to embody fierce self-compassion whenever we need to feel empowered.

Self CompassionSafe SpaceInner StrengthEmotional SupportBoundariesEmpowermentFiercenessSafe Space ImageryBoundary SettingEmotional Support VisualizationsGuided VisualizationsSymbolic GiftsVisualizations

Transcript

This meditation is called Fierce Friend and it's really more of a guided visualization.

So please find a comfortable position,

Either sitting or lying down.

Finally close your eyes.

Take a few deep breaths to relax and settle into your body.

And let your breathing return to normal.

Just noticing your breath.

And if your mind wanders,

Simply just bringing it back with gentleness,

Kindness.

So I would invite you to imagine that you are in a place that is safe and peaceful and comfortable.

It might be a cozy room with a fire crackling in the fireplace,

Or maybe a beach with a warm sun and a cool breeze caressing your skin,

Or a forest glade.

It might also be just an imaginary place,

A fantasy place,

Or maybe floating on a cloud.

Really just anywhere where you feel peaceful and safe and content.

Letting the image form in your mind's eye.

Letting yourself really savor,

Linger with,

And enjoy the feeling of comfort and peace in this place.

And soon you're going to receive a visitor.

A strong and powerful,

But also tender and loving presence.

A fierce friend who really embodies the quality of caring force,

Strength with love.

Just see what image arises,

What image forms in your mind's eye.

This friend may remind you of someone you've known in the past.

Maybe you had a really strong and courageous and protective grandmother,

A really supportive teacher in your past.

Maybe a figure from your imagination,

Like a warrior goddess.

Or an animal like a jaguar or leopard.

Or maybe this being doesn't have any particular form,

But it's just a presence,

A glowing light.

Just allow this image of your fierce friend to arise.

Trying to visualize your friend in as much detail as possible,

But without also overthinking it.

And so your friend is going to visit you and you have a choice.

You can either go out of your safe place and meet your friend somewhere else.

Or you can invite them in,

Whatever feels right to you.

So please take that opportunity.

Imagine yourself with your fierce friend.

Make sure you're just the right distance.

So if it's your grandmother,

Maybe you're close and you're holding her hand.

If it's a warrior goddess,

Maybe you have a little respectful distance.

Whatever feels right.

But including yourself in this image with your fierce friend.

See if you can allow yourself to experience what it's like to be in the company of this being.

Really feeling their bravery,

Their courage,

Their determination,

Their power.

And also feeling how loved and cared for and protected you feel.

There's nothing you need to do except experience this moment.

And of course,

This friend is very wise.

Perhaps even all-knowing.

And sees clearly.

And understands exactly what's going on in your life right now.

And also understands you,

Right?

Your history,

Maybe your areas of strength and weakness.

Your patterns.

And this friend also sees the areas in your life where maybe you need to be a little more firm.

To stand up for yourself,

To speak up.

Maybe say no,

Draw boundaries.

Protect yourself.

What does your friend see?

Your friend may also want to tell you something.

Something that's just what you need to hear right now.

So that you can protect yourself.

What is it that they have to say?

Listen.

Listen and receive this message.

What does this wise being have to say to you?

Your friend may also want to give you a gift.

Maybe it's some symbolic object that symbolizes carrying force.

Maybe it just materializes in your hands.

What is it?

If no gift comes,

Or maybe even if no words come,

That's okay too.

Continue to experience the strength and the love and protection of this friend as a blessing in itself.

So really just allowing yourself to soak in this being's presence.

To let it fill your body.

This fierceness and tenderness.

And also allowing yourself to realize that this fierce friend is actually a part of you.

All the feelings,

Images,

And words that you just experienced.

What you're experiencing now is flowing from your own fierce and tender heart.

Comes from you.

And so when you're ready,

Allowing the image to gradually dissolve in your mind's eye.

So the image may be dissolved,

But remembering that this carrying force is always within you.

Especially when you need it the most.

You can look inward to call upon your fierce friend anytime you wish.

And so when you're ready,

Slowly opening your eyes.

Meet your Teacher

Kristin NeffAustin, TX, USA

4.7 (1 303)

Recent Reviews

Claire

October 16, 2025

Really gave me an important message Sack this person off he doesn't have your best interest at heart. It's all a game. To See what he can get from you. The guy with the big heart who will love and cherish you is t far behind. You will be together. Like you want he wants to love a cherish you. All he wants is your love and will make you feel loved honoh you and. You will be so happy together

Deb

November 12, 2024

Lovely…. I’m going to look for an image of my fierce friend to hang reminding me 🐯

Paula

February 29, 2024

Many many thanks for this! Gave me strength to share with fierceness and compassion that my relationship wasn't working anymore for me ❤️

Rachel

October 17, 2023

This was so moving, profound, healing. Feeling very grateful, thank you 🙏🏼

Hermine

April 9, 2023

Thank you 🙏

Jim

August 18, 2022

My fierce friend is Jesus, that's what came to me and was reallly helpful. Been struggling with my Faith and this meditation helped relax me and focus on it in a constructive way. 🙏❤

John

March 14, 2022

Thank you for revealing my friend that is always there in me!

Jemma

March 2, 2022

Lovely and nourishing. Thank you. ♥️🙏🏼

Joanna

February 21, 2022

Great. I also love the book 😍

Maux

February 5, 2022

Love Kristen’s compassionate teachings. So beautiful. Thank you.

Stéphanie

February 4, 2022

Wow! Merci! Quelle merveilleuse méditation encore! Ça m’a fait un bien fou! ♥️

Aimee

January 17, 2022

This was a lovely session. I wanted to stay in the visualization with my fierce friend. Will be coming back to this when I need a reminder… thank you.

John

January 9, 2022

This visualization was perfect for me because I’ve been needing a fierce friend for years now. However, my fierce friend was silent, face still and just responded with his eyes to my questions and needs for his approval. I wanted to cling to him. He wouldn’t let me. His silence left me uneasy. So it seemed formidable to me. All he ever said to me, “You don’t need my approval.” Your visualization brought all of this out of me. I want to know more about him.. So I want to meet him again. So I will use your excellent tool again.

Frazier

January 8, 2022

Thank you :)

Valerie

November 2, 2021

Thank you so Much for this . Exactly what I needed right now :)

Marianne

September 25, 2021

Wonderful, reassuring and energising at once. I hope to retain a sense of my fierce protector, and I know I can find help in doing so by returning to this visualization. Thank you so much! 🌺

Kat

September 20, 2021

Lovely! My friend was Totoro! 😂 thanks you! 🙏

Linny

September 2, 2021

Peaceful, soothing. Brought calm to my soul. Thank you.

Sheila

September 1, 2021

Thanks 😊

Beth

September 1, 2021

Very helpful visualization. The sound quality, pace, allowance of space, timing, and flow were all excellent. I will take these images with me. 🙏🏽

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© 2025 Kristin Neff. All rights reserved. All copyright in this work remains with the original creator. No part of this material may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

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