Today's meditation is about seeing other people as human beings rather than labels.
Let's bring awareness to how our belly,
Our chest,
Our head feel when we reflect on this topic.
Let's reflect and bring awareness to the emotions that you can associate with these visceral feelings,
The positive or negative impact of any stories you believe in regarding this topic,
The positive or negative impact of any stories you believe in regarding this topic,
And the fact that many others are feeling similarly about this topic as you,
And how you might feel with increased awareness around this topic.
Mindfulness is not just a quality you bring to your own body and mind.
It's also possible to tune into those around us with mindfulness.
This is called external mindfulness and it's a way to bring awareness to the emotions that you feel.
When you see someone or another person,
Do you see them as a three-dimensional being or do you label them as a checkout clerk,
A soccer mom,
Or an annoying co-worker?
With practice,
You can train the mind to objectively see other people as humans just like you.
Engage in this exercise when you're in the presence of other people.
For example,
You might be sitting on a bench in a grocery store or sitting on a park bench.
It works best to start with people you don't know that much about,
So I recommend a public place.
As you practice,
Take it up a notch by applying this to your loved ones.
When you see someone else,
Notice the label that the mind habitually gives that person.
Notice if they're attractive,
What their job or role is,
Or any other snap judgments.
Don't force anything down or deny the presence of these thoughts.
Your mind is designed to categorize and label things and we all judge other people.
Just notice whatever is present.
Begin to observe this person with a beginner's mind as if you've never seen a person before.
Start to see them as a living,
Breathing,
And feeling being.
Recognize that this person has friends,
A job,
A place they need to be in five minutes,
And so on.
This person loves people and has people who love them.
Bring awareness to this person's possible experience.
Like you,
Have hopes,
Dreams,
Fears,
Sorrows,
Regrets,
And joy.
You don't need to know this person's whole life story to be sure that they are subject to pleasant and unpleasant emotional experiences.
End your practice with this person by offering a single phrase of loving kindness,
Such as,
May you be happy today.
You can continue this practice with other people you run into during the day.
It takes just a few minutes to reflect,
Recognize,
And offer a phrase of loving kindness.
