Hello,
I'm Tara Kuzino.
Welcome to today's meditation,
Calling on a Kindred Spirit.
It is a blessing that we can use our wise minds to be on our side at any moment.
We can befriend ourselves in beautiful and loving ways.
We all need a kind and wise,
Compassionate being looking after us,
Especially one that comes from within.
Here is the meditation to connect with one.
Begin by sitting in a comfortable position with a straight back in a posture of strength,
Grace and dignity.
Try to relax the shoulders,
Face and jaw,
Allowing gravity to support you.
Take a few deep breaths,
Soften any tension and allow your mind to become quiet and continue with your natural breathing.
Visualize that you are walking inside a serene place where you feel peaceful,
Content and safe.
You may prefer a quiet cabin in the woods,
A perch on a mountainside,
A treehouse or a cozy nook.
Call on your imagination and allow yourself to seep into this place of serenity and safety.
When you feel ready,
Invite a kind companion to join you.
Let this friend's natural form surface however it appears.
It could be a person from the past such as a grandparent,
A mentor or teacher.
You could imagine a benevolent religious figure,
A deity,
An angel,
A superhero,
A spirit guide or power animal.
You might simply feel a presence,
See a bright light or feel wrapped in a warm blanket.
Allow this wise and friendly being to approach,
A being who knows you well and has always known you in some way.
Feel how this companion cares for you and accepts you completely.
Really trust and respect your companion.
Absorb the feelings of mutual caring with the sense that you are side by side or face to face with a kindred spirit,
Inclining yourself toward connection and communication.
Bring to mind a question or problem that you are facing.
Ask your wise companion for help.
Listen patiently for an answer,
Allowing your companion to communicate with you in whatever way is natural.
Questions may come,
Perhaps he will sense an answer or your companion might guide you on a vivid adventure full of symbolism.
Be open and curious.
When you feel you have received what you needed,
Perhaps a clear answer or simply a sense of deep understanding and unconditional love.
Rest in this loving and kind awareness.
See if you can take in the goodwill deep into your heart,
Flushing through your nervous system and sending warm energy throughout.
Allowing yourself to enrich the experience with all your senses,
Being fully present to the wisdom and encouragement.
Perhaps imprinting in your mind's eye an image or sensibility of this felt presence that you can take with you wherever you find yourself and however you feel.
Knowing that even in times of difficulty or discomfort,
This wise being helps to carry the burden and softens your path.
And in times of joy and triumphs,
No matter how small or large,
This being emanates love,
Appreciation and pride,
Embracing you no matter the conditions or circumstances.
Fasque in this knowing of a deep and sustained caring.
Thank your kind companion and imagine how you might carry your companion's support with you.
And if you are concerned that obstacles might get in the way,
Simply observe your thoughts and feelings with some kind sight by viewing your life experiences with tenderness and understanding.
We know intuitively that life serves us unexpected trials and this rubbing up against the harshness of life can also be the seeds for growth and integration,
Bringing forth inner strengths you may not even be aware of.
This grace allows you to consider what responses or actions would be helpful for you and for those you care about and even among those who may cause you concern or irritation.
Know that you can call on your wise companion whenever you need guidance.
Trust in the wisdom that runs deep within.
The skill of self-compassion is like having a kind caring protector around you all the time who will help to meet your pain and suffering,
Shame and vulnerability and transform it into something beautiful like a kaleidoscope.
When you are in an environment of love and compassion like you are cultivating right now,
You get a chance to heal,
To be a kindness warrior and to put love in action for yourself.
As we release this visualization,
Begin to depart from your imaginary haven,
Your serene place and rest in feelings of security and comfort and gently open your eyes.
May you go gently forth with kind awareness,
Remembering here now that kindness is simple and sacred.
