“Self-compassion is a way of relating to the ever-changing landscape of who we are with kindness and acceptance—especially when we fail or feel inadequate … Self-compassion requires acknowledging that we share the human condition of imperfection.” ~ Kristen Neff
How many of us learned about this when we were young? … How many of us are teaching our children about this? …
In today’s culture, especially in America, there is so much emphasis on self confidence, competing to win and striving for what you want in life. Yet, so much of it is out of our control.
We all know that mistakes happen and we don’t all win the prize at the end of the day.
How do you cope with these natural downturns and disappointments that are a part of all life? And how can we prepare ourselves for the inevitable lows of life?
Sara Neff and Tara Brach have so much wisdom and guidance on how we can come to a place of self love and acceptance as adults.
“In order to flower, self-compassion depends on honest, direct contact with our own vulnerability. Compassion fully blossoms when we actively offer care to ourselves. To help people address feelings of insecurity and unworthiness, I often introduce mindfulness and compassion through a meditation I call the RAIN of Self-Compassion. The acronym RAIN, first coined about 20 years ago by Michele McDonald, is an easy-to-remember tool for practicing mindfulness. It has four steps:
Recognize what is going on;
Allow the experience to be there, just as it is;
Investigate with kindness;
Natural awareness, which comes from not identifying with the experience.
You can take your time and explore RAIN as a stand-alone meditation or move through the steps in a more abbreviated way whenever challenging feelings arise.”
~ Tara Brach
I have spent many years helping others find self acceptance and connection to their inner being. However, one the greatest tools I use, is not in our thinking mind at all.
The simplest way to allow compassion to flow and for the heart to open, is to sit quietly and place one or both hands above your heart center.
Take a moment and try it now.
This gesture activates a soothing response that we mammals have. It replicates the feeling of comfort, safety and nourishment at our mother’s breast.
As babies we felt it. As children we received comfort from a motherly hug. Yet, we don’t need someone else to bring about the same physical and emotional response.
You can give yourself this gift at any time.
You can also place a hand on your belly and let the breathe settle into the center of your being. When we breathe using the diaphragm, we activate the relaxation response in the para sympathetic nervous system. Anxiety abates as the brain releasing comforting hormones.
Connect to your breath and allow the nurturing energy to flow.
Namaste
A lovely piece. I believe in that deep breathing for relaxation. And the hand over heart…so simple and effective. Thanks, Val. We are all so much harder on ourselves than we need to be. 💖
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Van. There is some unlearning required for most of us. 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful post, Val. It’s so important to teach children that there will be disappointments in life. Some of what I thought were my greatest disappointments turned out to be the biggest blessings. ❤
LikeLiked by 3 people
It’s funny how hindsight makes it so Jill. I’m with you Jill 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Love this. I tried the hands over my heart center as I read your words. I felt the comfort instantly and then was reminded that I unconsciously do this when I am serious about getting to sleep at night. But what a wonderful comfort in the afternoon to just take a few moments and breathe. Thank you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
So glad you enjoyed this simple gesture Pix 💛
LikeLike
This is brilliant, Val. Thank you. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Jennifer ❣️
LikeLiked by 1 person
Self-compassion is a very new concept to me. I was never brought up that way. I felt responsible for everything that went wrong, as children do if not taught otherwise and carried this jugmental attitude of self into late adulthood. I discovered self-compassion in a wonderful book a few years ago and have been practising since. Wonderful post, Val. ❤
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you for sharing your story Olga. It is something that many of us were unaware of … but it can be such a gift in centering ourselves and healing 💕
LikeLiked by 1 person
❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful post Val and the hand over the heart works amazingly – I’ve done it instinctively for many years! ❤
Diana xo
LikeLiked by 2 people
It is instinctive Diana! Now we know how it works, we can find our center in the ups and downs of life. Thank you for adding to the conversation 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love the RAIN of compassion, Tara Brach is a wise teacher. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Agreed Eliza❣️RAIN is a powerful mindfulness practice. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
Soothing, calm words Val. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Karen. So glad you enjoyed a soothing moment 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is really beautiful and works so well Val 🙂 I have often used to lay my hands at my stomach, which seems to help me to calm down, when necessary. In meditation I have tried to place my hands at different places and the same is happening.
Very wise Val and thank you for sharing 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you for your kind words Irene, and for sharing your experience. Nurturing ourselves like this is very healing 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
I agree so much ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful Val, we always return to the breath in meditation. Love, David
LikeLiked by 1 person
RAIN. Hmmmmm
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hhmmmmm … rain brings growth.😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Then I should be a Sequoia.
LikeLiked by 1 person
That’s a wonderful and powerful device or trigger, Val, a bit like very slightly lifting the edges of the mouth to create the subtle remnants of a smile when commencing formal meditations – again, the psychological trigger is instantaneous. I suppose these are like positively enhancing feedback loops: body>mind>body, and so on. I don’t know if you would see it like that? A somewhat artificial distinction, perhaps? H ❤
LikeLiked by 2 people
You have touched something for me to explore here Hariod. 💛 I ask myself. How can we engage in a loop if the parts are integrated? I have a sense that there is no separation between mind and body, it is just that we have made it so… in our mind. The more I have tuned into the energy of the body, the more I appreciate the intelligence and knowing that resides outside of my headspace. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
I wholeheartedly agree, and to say the same thing as yourself but in differing words, then the thinking/memory aspect of our one beingness itself creates the false distinctions of immaterial mind and material body, almost as if they were ontologically (objectively) discrete categories with some sort of mysterious conduit between the two. That model is useful for communicative and learning purposes, but breaks down into meaninglessness ultimately. Just to be clear, I’m not a Hard Materialist or Physicalist; I’m saying the assumed categories of material and immaterial dissolve into irrelevance with no base point for either ultimately. [mass=energy, same difference, etc.] As for cranialism and all that, then I keep going back to my favourite question: where is awareness? Waffling here. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
There’s much wisdom in the waffle Hariod 💛
Dissolving irrelevance .. there a lot of it about. I will never call you a cranialist again 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
So essential
LikeLiked by 2 people
So true 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful gift, Val! And it works. Thank you for sharing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks Helen 💛 So glad you have felt this nurturing connection and compassion. xo
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are right, it helps! And thanks for the advice on self-acceptance.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You are welcome Ann. Thank you for being here 💛
LikeLike
Thanks. Great acronym RAIN! I like it a lot 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you! So glad you appreciated it 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
A timely piece. It brings so much peace when I place my hands over my heart and the breathing technique completes it. 🙏
LikeLiked by 1 person
Compassion for self and others – so important! A lovely post.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Fiona 💛
LikeLike
Pingback: Pssst… you are perfectly imperfect and amazing! | Alaskan Blueberry
Good thoughts and practices, Val. Thanks!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Glad you appreciated this Nancy 💛
LikeLike
Amazing piece. thanks for sharing .. really loving your blog!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank Rayne 💛 it’s good to have you here.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome. Happy to be here 😊
LikeLike