Adapted by Shery Clein, MindfulLiving™ Coach – Nurturing Awareness Intelligence
Self-compassion is the foundation of resilience; it transforms our struggles into strength.
Congratulations! You Are Wonderful!
As you begin practising Mindfulness and Self-Compassion, remember that learning is a treasure that no one can take away from you.
Before You Begin Chapter 3
Focus on the possibilities for success, not the potential for failure.
- In this module, Self-Compassion Mastery, we focus on compassion, especially self-compassion, which may be the most critical component of MindfulLiving™. It’s the oil that makes the gears of mindfulness work.
- At the heart of our lack of compassion for ourselves is the lie that many of us grew up with. To be successful, we must not only work hard but also be hard on ourselves. This means recognising that “the other” (person or persons) has their perceptions, feelings, and needs, which are almost certainly different from ours.
Mindfulness
- We learn that mind-wandering is not a problem.
- By noticing and learning our patterns, we untangle from the bind of automaticity.
- What do you notice when you practice meditation? For people familiar with meditation or mindfulness, when difficulty arises during meditation in the form of a thought, emotion, or physical sensation, we acknowledge it and then “firmly but gently” return to the object of awareness (for instance, the breath in sitting meditation).
- Most people find that their minds won’t stay still. Attention is drawn away, repeatedly, into thoughts, feelings, sounds, sights, smells—into anything except where we meant to put it. It’s tempting to view this as a problem that mindfulness practice will rectify. If we train ourselves to keep coming back, won’t we soon be able to focus more easily? Perhaps. But something else may be happening, too.
Awareness
A powerful article by Deepak Chopra emphasises the importance of self-awareness:
At 73, Chopra discusses the urgency of confronting global challenges like climate change and societal issues. He believes our collective mindset has created a “nightmare” we must address. He advocates for a spiritual shift, stating we already have the technologies to reverse negative trends but need the collective will.
To start on the path to becoming a “metahuman,” Chopra suggests engaging in contemplative practices and self-inquiry, asking questions like “Who am I?” and “What is my purpose?” In moments of overwhelm, he advises taking deep breaths and responding with awareness and compassion rather than reacting impulsively. He stresses the importance of maintaining inner stillness amid overstimulation, allowing for better self-identity and reflection.
Practical Steps
- Begin a contemplative meditation practice. Reflect on questions like:
- “Who am I?”
- “What do I want?”
- “What is my purpose?”
- When feeling overwhelmed, take deep breaths and respond with awareness and compassion instead of reactivity.
- Stay focused amid overstimulation by keeping your identity anchored in inner stillness.
Note: The Resources section in Chapter 10 provides valuable information about mindfulness and self-compassion. Please review this material, as it is highly relevant.
If you have any questions, please get in touch with me using the details below. Thank you for your participation and time with us. We treasure your contributions and encourage you to practice mindfulness daily and remember to do your journaling.
We look forward to seeing you for the next exciting chapter, setting out the curriculum 💕
Warmly, Shery Clein. MindfulLiving™ Coach. Nurturing Awareness Intelligence
Self-compassion is the quiet power that nurtures our hearts, allowing us to face life’s challenges with grace and resilience.
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