The way we'll be working with this practice is by identifying what in the Buddhist terminology is called a benefactor.
Could be a friend,
A caring figure,
A mentor,
Someone whose presence you feel very accepted or seen or cared for,
And someone that you can kind of sense does wish you well,
Wishes happiness for you.
And this can be a person,
But it can also be a pet,
Can be a place where you feel really supported.
It doesn't have to follow some traditional,
It must be X.
So I really invite you to get a little creative as we dive in.
So I'll invite you now just to close your eyes and get comfortable,
And I'll guide you in and we'll practice together with this benefactor practice.
This is influenced by the Tibetan Vajrayana tradition,
But a little spin on things,
And particularly influenced by Mama John McCransky,
Who's found that this particular practice can help people combat compassion fatigue.
Which is very good in this day and age.
So just closing those eyes if they aren't all right.
Feeling your body resting in the chair.
Noticing your breath.
And if there's anything that needs to be set down,
Just setting it down in your mind so that you can turn fully to this practice.
And in just a moment,
I'm going to invite you to call to mind a benefactor,
Which could be someone from your life,
Human or a pet,
Or even a place that feels sacred or safe.
Some caring being or space that has meaning to you.
And just allowing yourself to imagine that benefactor right before you,
Not as a memory,
But almost as if they could be present with you right now.
They might be in front of you,
Smiling at you.
They might be standing beside you,
Even with an arm around you.
Maybe they're behind you,
Like they've got your back.
And if they're a place,
Just letting yourself rest in that place.
I'm just taking a moment simply to notice what it's like to be in the presence of this benefactor.
What it feels like to be here with them.
Just noticing the qualities that make you feel most comfortable or supported or happy to be around them,
Noticing all those good qualities that they have.
And just imagining them smiling or gazing upon you with a real sense of acceptance and love.
Really seeing you in your deepest goodness,
Your real potential.
Imagining them here wishing you well,
Loving you,
All parts of you,
Just the way that they care.
The way that they see beyond any limiting thoughts you might have.
That they can really see all your goodness.
And that they just love you for it.
There may be other dear ones who also want to come into this moment.
Other friends,
Animals,
Beloved tree,
Mentors or ancestors.
Might even want to form a circle around you,
Just holding you in their deepest love and care.
Knowing you can play with this,
You can invite more in.
And just receiving the care and support and love of these benefactors.
Might imagine it almost as a light that's just flowing into your being.
Or simply that you're soaking in that energy and that care and that real seeing and affection.
And just allowing these benefactors before you to begin to dissolve into you.
As if all this energy of care could just move right into your being.
Just noticing what that's like as that energy dissolves from this form that it's been in for this time and just flows into you.
Getting ready.
Stretching a little bit,
Moving the body.
And just gently coming back into the room.
