Practice: Somewhere To Be Generous

We often treat giving as an obligation, but true generosity naturally flows from a place of abundance and gratitude. In this short guided practice, you will anchor into a sense of quiet gratitude by identifying just one thing in your life you have plenty of—whether it's extra time, food, or an unworn coat.

From that grounded state, you will visualize a single, realistic act of giving you can perform this week and tune into the physical sensations that arise in your body.

By recognizing the somatic feeling of generosity before any action is even taken, you can consciously carry its open-hearted intention into the rest of your day.

Transcript

Come and join me for a few minutes. In a practice I call somewhere to be generous. All I'm going to ask in this practice is that you bring to mind something you have plenty of. And then let one act of giving take shape. First, Settle where you are. And make sure you're sitting comfortably. If you'd like. You can gently close your eyes. Or just soften your gaze. Take one deep breath. Slowly release it. And let whatever you were doing a moment ago. Begin to settle. Let the body arrive here in the present moment. There's nowhere else that you need to be right now. When you're ready. Let something come to mind. That there is plenty of in your life. Something you have more than enough of and that you're grateful for. It doesn't have to be anything grand. Maybe. It's more food than you'll get through. More clothes. Than you usually wear. More time on some days. Then you know what to do with it. Let it be whatever arrives first. Rest there. For a few breaths. And let yourself feel glad. For all this. Notice what gratitude can do. Feels like in the body. When it isn't in a hurry. And with that feeling. Still present. Let's something else. Come to mind. One act of generosity. That you could perform this week. Something that you have in common. Perhaps it's giving up your seat on the bus. Or it's a few coins for the person you pass on the corner every morning. Perhaps it's a coat that you don't wear. Taken to somewhere. Where it's needed. Let one idea arrive. Something you could really do. Picture it for a moment. Who do you picture giving it to? What does. . . Giving look like. And feel like, And how is it received? Now notice what's happening in you. As you imagine this. There may be a feeling in your chest. Or in the throat or around the eyes. Warmth, Perhaps. A softening. Something you might not have a word for. Wherever you find it. Let your attention rest right there. You don't have to name it perfectly. Stay with this feeling. For a few breaths. Let it be as strong or as faint as it is. There's nothing you need to make happen here. This is what generosity feels like. From the inside. Before anything has even been given. It's worth knowing. So you can recognize it. When it comes. Now take a breath in. Breathe out. Let the body soften again. In a moment, You'll get up and go back into your day. When you do. See if you can find somewhere to be generous this week. The thing you pictured. Or whatever the day happens to offer you instead. And now. . . When you feel ready. Return gently. To the rest of your day.