This meditation is a gentle reminder that even if we are physically alone or feel like we are the only one to face this challenge, we are never truly alone. Our experience is common to all of humanity.
Here’s a Sample of the “Directional Compassion” Guided Meditation Script:
One of the biggest challenges when it comes to having compassion for ourselves is the belief that we are alone in our struggles. It is so easy to think, “I am the only one who feels this way. No one in my life is having as hard a time as I am.”
Even if we know, in our logical mind, that this is not true, it can be easy to fall into a sense of isolation when we are struggling, especially if we are keeping our struggles to ourselves.
Unfortunately, when we feel alone in life’s difficulties, it feels tempting to withdraw even further, which then creates an even stronger sense of aloneness.
This meditation is a gentle reminder that even if we are physically alone or feel like we are the only one to face this challenge, we are never truly alone. Our experience is common to all of humanity.
To begin, gently allow your eyes to close and relax into whatever position you’re in - allowing the ground to support you, and envisioning how held you are by the earth.
Take a deep breath, and imagine breathing into your heart space, nourishing that energy with oxygen and attention.
Take another deep breath, and imagine bringing that air right down into your digestive organs, nourishing them with air.
One more big, healthy breath, right down into your legs and feet.
And exhaling, allowing your body to settle… your shoulders to melt down a bit… your jaw and face to relax and to let go of any tension you might be holding.
[pause]
Now, bring to mind something you are having a hard time with.
Try to choose something that’s not insignificant but not traumatic, either.
