Self Diagnostics (S4E5)
Sometimes a simple check in is incredibly powerful. This meditation will guide you through a little self-diagnostics check, to notice what is present in you in a precise moment. Doubt? Agitation? Fatigue? Practice saying "I see you! It's all good!" before diving deeper. Removing judgement allows us to be honest with ourselves and those around us about what we're navigating in a given moment which can create space for compassion towards yourself and others.
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Transcript
Settle into your posture and take a few moments to settle into your practice.
Eyes can be closed or open.
The few full breaths, or looking out the window, or scanning the body can help you relax into this moment.
You notice if you're expecting something to happen or looking for something in particular.
Relax here and sink as deeply as you can into the support of the floor, relaxing the parts of your body that might be tense.
How are you arriving to this practice? What is present?
It could be restlessness, agitation, sleepiness, fatigue.
Perhaps there's movement of the mind, or wanting things to be different. Whether it's about this practice, or about what you have coming up.
Perhaps there's doubt telling you you're doing it wrong or something like that. Simply notice. How are you arriving?
You can greet and acknowledge whatever's coming up. Simple phrases like, I see you agitation, or it's all good doubt.
If you're not sure what you're feeling, you can perhaps notice confusion or numbness and invite those in as well.
Get curious about whatever is present for you and how it shows up in your body.
Is it pleasant or unpleasant?
How do you experience it right now?
Tingling. Contraction. Expansion. Lightness.
Does it move? How fast is it? As you observe it, does it shift?
When noticing something like sleepiness, it can actually make us feel more sleepy. And that's okay.
On the flip side, agitation can evolve into anxiety, which can serve as a helpful reminder to come back into the body.
You can always reset during your practice by opening the eyes to recenter yourself.
As best you can, try to do all this noticing without judgment. Instead, try to practice kindness and remember that whatever is arising will also pass away.
For the last few moments of this practice, gather your heart and mind around an anchor. It could be the breath, a familiar sound, or a specific part of the body.
Thank you for your practice. Until next time, take care of yourself because that's how we can best take care of others.