In this guided meditation, we include an overview of different components of mindfulness practice. The reflection includes a body scan, establishing a home base for attention, and care in how to arrive in full presence after being lost in thought. We then explore opening mindfully to different experiences and the simple and liberating practice of “being here,” letting life be just as it is.
Forgiveness for others becomes possible when we’ve held our own being with great compassion. This short talk and guided meditation brings forth our most awake and tender presence as we ask for forgiveness, offer care to the woundedness within us, and then extend forgiveness to another who has hurt us.
Guided standing meditation: Spreading energy from the ground through the entire body, we set up conditions for blocked energy to release through the body. [14:30] Conclude standing form, begin gentle body movements.
This guided meditation begins with a calming breath to quiet the mind and relax the body. Following this, we establish our presence with an anchor – the breath, sound or sensation – and practice “coming back” from distractions, and including whatever direct experience asks for our kind attention. The meditation ends with a short loving kindness prayer.
We examine the importance of practicing skillfully with thoughts and emotions as one of the foundations of mindful communication, pointing to several ways of working with thoughts and emotions, with a guided meditation using the "RAIN" method (recognize, accept, develop interest and inquire, and "non-identify" with what is occurring).