Mindfulness, Yoga and Self Compassion
We see and hear so many lovely stories about the benefits of mindfulness practices, including yoga and meditation. Physical benefits of yoga include building strength, flexibility, agility, energy and vitality. The emotional benefits can be significant as well, by bringing a sense of calm, through deep relaxation, and moving the body in ways that calm the central nervous system. The philosophical teachings that underlie yoga stress “Ahimsa” or non-harming. This attitude of not doing harm includes treating the body with kindness, and refraining from unkind speech toward myself.
If you can, bring to mind how it feels when someone speaks kindly to you. Perhaps commenting on your good qualities or expressing gratitude for something you’ve done. Quite simply acknowledging and appreciating YOU. It is within us to offer the same acknowledgement, appreciation and encouragement to ourselves. This takes practice! When I first mention this to clients and yoga students, I’m aware of the discomfort, and even aversion, that comes up to the idea. We may have the idea that this is self-centred or selfish. Quite the opposite!
These are age old teachings, traced back to the time of the Buddha 3000 years ago. It is believed that he taught the monks about metta, or “gentle friend” as an antidote to fear. These teachings go into much more depth than I will here. For now, imagine this idea of having a gentle friend. Cultivating self compassion is a path to becoming our own gentle friend.
Our problem-solving culture encourages quick fixes, doing something to feel better. But what if you gave yourself the gift of time, attention, and kindness as a support for life’s challenges? With time and attention, some gentle energy and effort, we can begin this shift toward more self compassion. The lovely side effect of growing our own self compassion, is that we also grow our capacity to have compassion for others, for creatures, for this earth. This practice doesn’t leave anyone out!
We begin with a very simple practice of repeating phrases that invite a quality or experience into our awareness, without needing to believe it at first. Imagine the way that you care for a plant, or garden, by offering water and sunshine. Even a short amount of attention each day may nurture these feelings in you. As an experiment, repeat these phrases 3 times every day.
May I be happy
May I be safe
May I be peaceful
There are various ways to explore these teachings further. I will be offering a second Yoga, Mindfulness and Self Compassion class at Arrive Yoga and Mindfulness Centre in fall 2018. Several authors have explored these practices in depth, and I recommend Sharon Salzberg’s ‘Lovingkindness’, Jack Kornfield’s ‘A Path with Heart’ and Rick Hanson’s ‘Hardwiring Happiness.’ Joseph Goldstein’s podcasts are another lovely way to take in the teachings. Our local meditation teacher, Ken Hood, has a website well worth checking out: A Good Heart. His explanation is very accessible with some simple practices you might like to try.
Wishing you peacefulness and ease in this exploration of self compassion.