Admit something:
Everyone you see, you say to them, “Love me”.
Of course you do not do this out loud, otherwise someone would call the cops.
Still, though, think about this, this great pull in us to connect.
Why not become the one who lives with a full moon in each eye
that is always saying,
with that sweet moon language,
what every other eye in this world is dying to hear?
When we make contact with the soft feeling behind the hard feeling, and meet the unmet need
directly by our own kindness and appreciation, it’s much easier to release anger and resentment.
Participants are invited to do a reflection exercise called Forgiveness of Self and Forgiveness of
Others. The main point of forgiveness practice is to safely open to the pain and suffering we’ve
experienced in a relationship before we can forgive. Self-compassion allows us to open to this hurt.
The following exercise is an example of forgiveness practice:
Forgiveness of Self
•
Bring to mind a person whom you have hurt by your words or deeds; someone whom you think
about with a touch of guilt or remorse. Please choose someone who can generate a little
distress in your body, but only a little.
•
Open your awareness to the distress you feel in your body, mind and heart when this person
comes to mind.
•
Recognize that it’s only human to make mistakes, and try to understand some factors leading
to your mistake. Perhaps this person didn’t bring out the best in you, and you know it.
•
Offer forgiveness to yourself, perhaps by saying the phrase:
“May I (begin) to forgive myself for
what I have done, wittingly or unwittingly, to have caused [this person] harm.”
•
Set the intention not to repeat the same mistake, even if it might happen again.
The following session is the last session of the MSC program, so the home practice assignment of
session 7 is to review all the meditations and informal practices learned so far and identify “What
Works for Me?” Special attention should be given to those practices that were most enjoyable
since they’ll be the easiest to practice once the program has ended.
Session 8: Embracing Your Life
The opening discussion of session 8 is an exploration of how to maintain a regular practice of
mindful self-compassion after the program ends. Group members are encouraged to share what
has worked for them in the past, and what might support a regular practice going forward.
Suggestions include:
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