{SELF-COMPASSION PRACTICES} // Below are three tools to bring Self-Compassion into your life. These can be incorporated into existing meditation practices, or used in moments of distress (traffic jams, an especially loud inner critic...). All three of these strategies work to actively CULTIVATE JOY, which activates the Care Circuit in your brain (home of that inner resourcing and resilience that I mentioned), and are a good place to start with a self compassion practice, especially if this concept is new or uncomfortable, or it it’s hard to access The SELF part of Self-Compassion. Let me know which one is your favorite! 💛
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START by bringing your attention to the physical sensation of your breath coming in and going out, following it from beginning to end, and not trying to change how you’re breathing. See if you can connect with a feeling of openness and content. This might be easy, or there might be only a small bit of ease available to you in this moment. Make contact with what’s available.
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👉🏼 Sending Compassion to a Recipient: Picture a person or a being in your life, someone you know or someone you don’t, that could use a little care and compassion. Staying connected to your breathing, direct this affection towards them. Picture them receiving your gift…smiling…their spirits lifting….rinse and repeat.
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👉🏼 Receiving Love and Acceptance from Another Being: Call to mind someone in your life that loves you fiercely…a grandparent…a partner…a pet. Allow yourself to receive love and acceptance from this being…feel it soak in and bathe your heart…stay with this as long as possible.
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👉🏼 Alternating: Picture again the person or being that you love. Try sending love and compassion to them on your out breath, and receiving it back when you breath in…continue this cycle for a few minutes.
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💫 BONUS! Affectionate Breathing: Center your awareness on your breath- add a half smile. Breathe in affection and kindness for yourself, breathe out affection and kindness for the world in around you; even if you don’t feel it- setting the intention is a good place to start.
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