We are going to focus on a part of you that is hurting or in pain right now.
Maybe this part is sad or discouraged.
Maybe it feels heavy.
So I invite you to turn your attention inward,
Noticing where this part is showing up inside of you.
Do you notice it in your body?
Maybe there is a sense of heaviness inside.
Maybe an ache in the area of your heart.
Or maybe there is an upset feeling in the pit of your stomach.
There may be a heaviness in your eyes or maybe your eyes are filled with tears.
As you notice this suffering part,
Deepen your breath,
Increasing the length of your inhales and exhales,
And use your breath to gently touch the hurting part within you,
Allowing it to sense that it is not alone.
You may also find it helpful to use physical touch.
Maybe using your hand to touch the part of your body where this part is revealing itself.
Can this part sense your presence?
You might ask the part to separate from you a little,
Creating a little space so that you can focus on it with more clarity and so that it can see you more clearly.
Ask the part,
If it is willing,
To step out in front of you,
Reassuring it that you are not pushing it away,
But you are actually trying to connect with it more deeply.
As you do this,
You may have an image that comes to you of what this part looks like,
Or you may simply feel a sense of its presence with you.
And now,
Notice how you feel towards this part,
Seeing if it feels possible to open your heart with compassion and concern for this part of you that it feels so heavy right now.
If the sadness of this part starts to feel overwhelming,
See if it is possible to create a little more space between you and the part,
Possibly taking a step back away from it as you gently ask the part not to overwhelm you.
And check now and see if your own heart is open to knowing this part more.
If so,
What do you notice about this part?
What is it doing?
If authentic,
Let the part know you are aware of it and that you care.
As you offer your loving presence,
See if it's possible to listen,
Really opening your self to understand why this part of you feels the way that it feels.
This part may have a lot to say,
Or maybe it is just longing to be acknowledged.
Try telling this part in a loving way.
I see that you are hurting.
I see that you are sad.
I see that you feel discouraged.
Is it able to hear you?
If there is a sense of disconnection,
Invite this part to look at you,
Look you in the eyes,
Even if just for a moment.
How is it responding to really seeing you?
Can you extend your warmth,
Your care,
Your concern to this part in a way that the part is able to sense this from you?
And now,
Ask this part if it would like to connect with God.
If it has concerns or reservations,
Take a moment to ask what those are.
But if you sense an openness,
In a spirit of prayer,
Invite the presence of God to be here with this part right now.
How do you notice God revealing himself?
Maybe you notice the presence of the Holy Spirit,
Maybe God the Father,
Or maybe Jesus.
Or you may simply notice the presence of light,
Or warmth,
Or love.
Can this part of you sense God?
How is God responding to this part?
How is this part responding to God?
This part may want to share with God,
Or may simply want to be in his presence.
This part may even have reservations about God.
That is fine.
Use your breath to hold space for this part to be with God in whatever way this part needs.
Ask other parts of you to step back so you can really create space for God to be present with this part.
He will know exactly what this part needs.
We know that he is near the brokenhearted,
And that he weeps with those who weep.
Breathe in and out,
In and out,
And continue at this pace for a few moments in silence,
Giving space for this part to be with God.
And now,
As you continue to breathe,
Let this part know that our time here will come to a close in a moment,
But its connection with God does not have to come to a close.
Is there a word or image from this experience that you can hold on to,
Making note of it,
So you can help this part remember and reconnect to the presence of God?
Is there something this part needs from you moving forward?
How can you continue to extend compassion and love to it,
Letting it know that it is not alone?
Continue to breathe slowly with this part,
Noticing that even as you breathe,
You can use your breath or the touch of your hand to help this part feel your presence and a touch of the presence of God.
As this meditation closes,
Let this breathing continue as you transition back to the external world.
