Hello and welcome to this Just Like Me practice today.
This practice focuses on building compassion towards others by reminding us that we are all human and that we all have things in common.
We often focus on differences between ourselves and others,
Particularly with those that may appear different to us or that we are in some form of conflict with.
But in fact we all share many similarities and opening ourselves up to this supports us to build compassion,
Which in turn makes room for connection.
So just taking a moment to get yourself into a comfortable position,
Closing your eyes or diverting them downwards.
Breathing some full deep breaths right down into your belly,
In through your nose and out through your mouth.
Feeling your body grounded on the surface in which it sits or lies.
And when you are settled,
Bring to mind a person in your life.
The person may be a partner,
A family member,
A friend or a foe.
Today you may choose to pick a person who you are on good terms with,
But you may also choose to focus on a person who you are currently experiencing difficulties with,
Who you may find challenging to get along with.
Visualise this person sitting in front of you,
A fellow human being just like you.
And notice how you feel right now sitting in front of this person.
What sensations may be taking place in your body?
Is there a feeling of being at ease or a feeling of tightness,
Of discomfort?
Noticing what thoughts may be present for you.
As you look at this person in front of you,
What is your mind telling you?
And what feelings may be arising?
Is there feelings of warmth,
Of love,
Of kindness or is there feelings of anger,
Frustration,
Hurt,
Sadness?
And now in focusing on the purpose of the Just Like Me practice,
Reminding yourself as you look at the person sitting in front of you that this person is a fellow human being just like you.
And silently repeating the following phrases.
This person has a body and a mind just like me.
This person has feelings,
Thoughts and emotions just like me.
This person has at some point during his or her life experienced physical and emotional pain and suffering.
Just like me.
This person has experienced moments of peace,
Joy,
Happiness.
Just like me.
This person has been sad,
Disappointed in life,
Angry.
Just like me.
This person has longed for friendship and fulfilling relationships just like me.
This person has felt unworthy or inadequate at times.
Just like me.
This person wishes to be safe and healthy.
Just like me.
This person wishes to be loved.
Just like me.
This person is learning about life.
Just like me.
And just pausing now and taking a moment to notice how you're feeling as you hold this person in your awareness sitting in front of you.
What do you experience?
And can you now,
If it is possible for you,
Offer some wishes of well-being to this person in your awareness?
Can you send them a feeling of warmth as a fellow human being?
Can you wish them safety,
Health?
Can you wish that they will be free from pain and suffering?
That they will live a life with a level of ease,
A level of contentment.
Can you wish them the strength,
Resources and support to navigate the challenges and challenges in life that they will experience?
Sending well wishes to this person in your awareness wherever they find themselves in this moment.
Offering them compassion with whatever they may be currently navigating in their life.
For they are a fellow human being.
Just like me.
Doing the best they can.
Just like me.
And now reconnecting back to your breath.
Noticing the inhale and the exhale.
The wave of the breath as it enters your body,
Fills your belly and exits again.
Noticing what thoughts,
Feelings,
Emotions may be arising for you right now.
And offering yourself some compassion.
Some compassion for your current experience.
Some compassion for the relationship that you may have been navigating with this person that's been in your awareness today.
And offering yourself some compassion as you proceed with your day.
