Let's pause here.
For a few moments.
The body can settle in whatever way feels most comfortable.
It could be sitting or lying down.
There is no right posture.
We can listen to the body.
And allow it to be how it wants to be here.
The eyes can be open or closed.
If they are open,
The gaze may soften a little.
If they're closed.
The muscles around the eyes may soften too.
Perhaps the forehead softens.
The jaw.
The throat,
The shoulders.
And if some places don't want to soften just yet.
That's okay.
We don't need to make softening happen.
Today.
We are exploring kindness without forcing it.
We are not trying to create a feeling.
We're not trying to become kinder than we are.
We're simply making room to notice whether kindness or something like kindness.
Might already be here in small or subtle ways.
Sometimes kindness doesn't feel warm or obvious.
It may simply feel like less pressure.
A little more space.
A moment when nothing extra.
Is being demanded.
And if kindness doesn't seem to be here at all.
The two can be met gently.
We might begin with the eyes.
We're not asking them to change.
We're not asking them to smile.
We're just noticing.
Weather the area around the ice.
Can be a little less strained.
The eyelids.
The corners of the eyes.
The space between the eyebrows.
Maybe there is a faint easing.
Or maybe not.
Either way.
Nothing has gone wrong.
Perhaps the eyes can rest.
As though they were looking at something ordinary.
With gentle care.
We're not trying to change our feelings.
We're noticing what happens.
When we allow the quality of seeing.
To soften a little.
And if that feels artificial.
We can let it go.
Neutrality is welcome too.
There may be thoughts about kindness.
Whether we are kind enough.
Whether we should feel more of it.
And if those thoughts appear,
They don't need to be pushed away.
We can simply notice.
That they are here too.
For a little while.
We might gently wander.
What might kindness be like?
If it could simply be not pushing.
Not judging.
Not asking this moment.
To become something else.
Perhaps something softens.
Perhaps nothing changes.
Perhaps the experience is plain.
Or neutral.
All of that can be included.
We don't need to manufacture kindness.
We can allow the conditions to emerge where kindness may arise in its own time.
And now we can begin to widen awareness again.
Noticing the sounds around us the space where the body is resting.
The contact with what supports us.
There's no hurry.
When it feels right.
The fingers or the toes might move a little.
Maybe a deeper breath.
Happens on its own.
And if the eyes have been closed they can slowly open and take in what's around.
As we continue with the rest of the day.
Perhaps we can remember.
Kindness begins with not forcing anything.
And meeting this moment.
In a gentler way.
