Allow the thought or image of a person you know who is having a difficult time in their life to arise.
Perhaps he or she has a family member in the military,
Has lost someone dear to them,
Is seriously ill,
Or has been laid off.
You can also do this work empathizing with an animal you care about.
Do whichever is easier for you.
Bring the image or thought of that person or animal into your heart.
Imagine yourself in their shoes,
In their life.
If you can't think of anyone you know who is having a hard time right now,
Just allow the image of any person to arise in a situation that you imagine would be difficult,
And imagine yourself in their shoes.
We don't have to know a person personally to feel empathy.
We can touch another person's pain anytime we are willing to open our hearts.
If you are working with a person,
Take a few moments to explore what it might be like for them.
Going to work,
Being with young children,
Being in the hospital,
Or just getting up in the morning.
If it's an animal you are connecting with,
Allow the image of their situation to arise.
Be aware of what's going on physically as you do this work.
Notice any tightening or relaxing as you move through this imagined experience.
Just notice what happens.
Take time to explore the situation you are in.
Gently allow yourself to come back to your own experience.
Allow that person or animal's image to gently fade away.
Notice what's happening now.
Has there been a shift in your feelings?
Is there more work to do?
You can do this visualization on your own anytime you feel it would be helpful.
Whenever we are able to expand our understanding to include empathy for another person's pain,
Or an animal in pain,
It opens the possibility for us to be more aware of what is.
More open to life as it is.
With more honesty,
Courage and compassion for all of it.
