Come Back To Yourself: A Practice For Inner Connection

"Turning toward" is something many of us naturally offer to others, yet rarely give permission to do for self. And yet, this tender act of listening inward is exactly what allows us to show up more fully, more authentically in our lives.
This guided practice invites you to begin turning that same warmth toward yourself, to meet your inner experience (contemplations, emotions, etc.) with curiosity, compassion, and care. Through breath awareness and reflection, you’ll explore how you’re feeling, what you may need, the quality you want to lead with today, and what might anchor you as you move through your day. Thank you for being here.
Meditation by Susan Guttridge
Music by Liborio Conti
Image credit: Sihasakprachum (Canva Pro)

Transcript

Hi, I'm Susan Guttridge and I'm so pleased to have you here. This practice is a bit of a homecoming, An invitation to listen beneath the noise and to greet yourself with tenderness. Because we can lose ourselves in the busyness of the day, In the needs of others, In the thoughts we sometimes get tangled up with. So we need to cultivate quiet moments like this one, Moments that help us pause and listen beneath the noise and distraction. Alright, Get comfortable. Inhaling in. And as you exhale, Allow your breath to lengthen. Letting go of effort as the out-breath lasts just a little moment longer than your in-breath. And taking a few more breaths just like that, Allowing each exhale to lengthen and to deepen your sense of release and peace. There is nowhere else you need to be right now, Nothing you need to change. Just being present here with this rhythmic flow of breathing as your nervous system settles. Just for this moment, Letting go of the outside world. In relationships, Turning toward one another helps deepen connection when we pause, Listen, And offer our full attention. It's how we say without words, You matter, I'm here with you. This is so important in our relationships, But I have to say you too are worthy of that same care and connection, The tender act of turning toward yourself with kindness. So today, I invite you to greet yourself with that same presence, To turn toward yourself with warmth, With curiosity and care. Creating space to just listen and notice and respond to how you're feeling. If it feels right, Bring a hand and rest it just over your heart, A physical reminder that you are here, Listening to you. As you listen inwards, Notice how you're feeling, Physically, Emotionally, Mentally, And spiritually, Just with curiosity and compassion, No judgment, Just meeting yourself as you are. Now from this place of presence and awareness, Ask yourself, What do you need right now? What quality do you want to lead with today? What will anchor you more fully into today? And what might that actually look like? Notice how connecting with that intention, What you need, The quality, The anchor, And how it would take shape. Notice how connecting with that feels in your body. Notice how it feels in your heart, In your belly, Your shoulders, Your throat, And your mind. Just allowing yourself to rest in that feeling, Your inner anchor, Your inner anchor. Breathing in, Noticing again the space you're in, Noticing if anything has shifted during this practice, No matter how subtle. Acknowledge your efforts, And extend a little thank you to yourself. Thank you.