Kindness

This practice helps us learn what it feels like to really be on our side.

Being a human is really hard. In practicing mindfulness, we are being very present with ourselves – exactly as we are - and that can be uncomfortable.

These are ‘heartfulness’ exercises, to strengthen our ability to offer kindness and compassion. The sensation may be really unfamiliar, so experiment with them in small doses to see how they feel. Be gentle and curious.

WISHING YOURSELF WELL

(E.G., I have a meeting and I can’t find where I ‘carefully’ left my paperwork. I’m rummaging and beating myself up about being a disorganized, lazy filer.)

You unclip from the story or narrative and come back to the feeling (anxiety, anger, guilt). This is a tough way to feel. And you have the intention to offer kindness (so if you don’t actually feel kind, that’s fine – it’s the intention).

This is a moment of suffering

May I be kind to myself

The thought may arise ‘This is a moment of suffering because of YOU!’ – again, unclip from the thought and re-establish yourself in the feeling. Irrespective of the causes, this is a difficult thing to feel. May I be kind.

PRACTICE: Lovingkindness (8 mins)

This practice strengthens our ability to be on our side, to wish for our wellbeing and happiness.

We don't need to feel kind to do this meditation - it's about strengthening the intention to be kind to ourselves. Allow yourself to be in a very comfortable position, where you can feel at ease and safe. 

If it's difficult to offer yourself kindness: you can 'delegate' that. Bring to mind someone who is so easy for you to love, whose ability to love you really trust in. It can be a person, an animal, a spiritual figure. Offer them these intentions for wellbeing, and then let them offer the same intentions back to you.

May we learn to take good care of our precious selves.