Self Compassion

Many of us move through life with a harsh inner critic. This meditation is an invitation to soften that voice and cultivate a more compassionate relationship with yourself. Through gentle awareness and supportive inner language, you’ll learn how to meet difficult moments with kindness instead of judgment.

Transcript

Okay, So take a few moments here to settle into a comfortable position, Allow the body to relax and let your breath begin to slow naturally, Noticing the simple rhythm of breathing in and out. There's nothing you need to control here, Just allow the breath to move through the body and as you allow the breath to move naturally, Gently bring to mind the fact that being human can sometimes be difficult, There are moments of uncertainty, Moments of self-doubt, Moments where we feel we should be doing better than we are and often during those moments the voice that arises inside isn't the kind one, It can be critical, Impatient, Demanding and today we're going to practice something different, We're practicing meeting ourselves with compassion, So begin by bringing awareness to the heart area, The center of the chest, You can place a hand there if that feels natural and feel the gentle rise and fall of the breath beneath your hand and perhaps silently repeat these words to yourself, This moment is difficult and this is just acknowledging the truth of your experience, No pretending, No pushing away, Just honesty, Take a breath and then gently say to yourself, Difficulty is part of being human, Everyone struggles sometimes, Everyone has moments where they feel unsure or overwhelmed, You're not alone in this and now the final part, Offer yourself kindness, Silently repeat, May I be kind to myself in this moment, May I give myself the understanding I need, Take a breath and really feel what happens in your body as you say those words and don't need or don't feel the need to force a feeling, Just plant a seed and again that mantra, May I be kind to myself, May I meet myself with patience, Notice if the body softens even slightly, Perhaps the shoulders drop, The jaw relaxes, The breath maybe deepens, So self-compassion isn't about fixing everything immediately, It's just about changing the tone of our relationship with ourselves and from that place healing naturally becomes easier and for the next few breaths simply rest with a hand on your heart, Breathing, Allowing, Offering yourself the same kindness you'd offer a close friend and gradually when you're ready, I invite you to gently open your eyes, Carrying this attitude of compassion into the rest of your day