Loving-kindness to our Whole Selves

Hi there. In this section, we're exploring ways we can begin to redefine discomfort. Maybe over the course of this collection, you started to realize that the discomfort you've been facing has been necessary for your growth. Or how discomfort is really just a part of life. It becomes less of a thing that we're afraid of and more of something that we can be empowered by, because we know what's on the other side. So as we grow into a more expanded version of ourselves, stretched by the learnings of going beyond our discomfort, there can be this tendency to wanna move away from our past selves or get lost in the potential of who we can be. And this means we forget about the person that is right here and now. And how I see it, every version of who we are serves a purpose. Our past selves can serve as a point of reflection, and our future selves can give us a sense of direction. So in this meditation, we'll be using the loving kindness technique to cultivate self-compassion and kindness towards our whole selves, past, present, and future. Cultivating self-compassion is just one of the ways that we can begin to redefine discomfort. Instead of only being kind towards the parts of ourselves that we like, compassion invites us to embrace our whole selves. So in this practice, we'll offer warm and kind wishes to ourselves, which sometimes can be difficult, especially if we've never done this before. I'll offer phrases here for you to use, but if you have phrases or words that resonate with you more, please feel free to use them instead. So when you're ready, take a moment to just get comfortable. The eyes can be open or closed for this practice. And then taking some nice big, deep breaths here, settling into the body and dropping into this present moment. Breathing in through the nose and breathing out through the mouth. And then returning the breath back to its natural rhythm and natural pace. And if it feels right for you, just placing a hand on the heart. Now, inviting you to bring to mind a past version of yourself. Maybe it was one year ago or maybe it was you as a child. Just noticing who comes to mind and inviting them to sit down beside you. And then bringing to mind future you. Maybe the you that has moved past discomfort, that has grown and overcome challenges, that's confident and motivated. Inviting that version of yourself to also sit down beside you. And as all these different versions of yourself join you now, offering yourself these phrases and repeating after me. May I accept myself as I am. May I trust myself as I am. And may I love myself as I am. Just noticing how these words land in the body. Noticing any sensations that may be present. And again, repeating after me. May I accept myself as...