This practice is called compassion with equanimity and I'll be inviting you to bring to mind a caregiving situation.
Someone who you are caring for and there is an element of even a little bit of resentment or exhaustion or wish that the circumstances were other than what they are and then to warm up the compassion that lies within and to offer that to this caregiving situation.
So beginning by finding a comfortable position,
Closing the eyes either partially or fully and taking in a few deep breaths to begin to settle into your body and into the present moment.
Becoming aware of the support of the ground beneath the feet,
Knowing that the earth is always holding you,
Is here to support you.
And the invitation is to perhaps offer yourself some supportive touch,
Perhaps a hand over the heart or elsewhere on the body as a reminder to bring an affectionate awareness to your experience and to yourself.
And now bringing to mind someone you are caring for who is exhausting you or frustrating you in some way.
Someone whom you care about who is suffering.
And for this introductory exercise please choosing someone who is not your child as this can be a slightly more complicated dynamic.
Visualise the person and the caregiving situation clearly in your mind.
And beginning to feel the struggle in your own body.
Now please listen carefully to these words,
Letting them gently roll through your mind.
Everyone is on their own life journey.
I am not the cause of this person suffering,
Nor is it entirely within my power to make it go away,
Even though I wish I could.
Moments like these can be difficult to bear,
Yet I may still try to help if I can.
Aware of the stress you are feeling in your body,
Inhale fully and deeply,
Drawing compassion inside your body and filling every cell of your body with compassion with the in breath.
Letting yourself be soothed by inhaling deeply.
Giving yourself the compassion you need with each in breath.
And as you exhale,
Sending out compassion to the person who is associated with your discomfort.
Noticing how there is an ease with each out breath.
And allowing that ease to travel to the other person.
Whilst continuing to nourish yourself with each inhale.
Continue breathing compassion in and out,
Allowing your body to gradually find a natural breathing rhythm.
Letting your body breathe itself.
In for me,
Out for you.
One for me,
One for you.
Occasionally scanning your inner landscape for any distress and responding by inhaling compassion for yourself and exhaling compassion for others.
If you find that anyone needs extra compassion,
Including yourself,
Directing your breath in that direction.
Noticing how your body is caressed from the inside as you breathe.
Like a gentle inner massage.
Letting yourself float on an ocean of compassion.
A limitless ocean that embraces all suffering.
An ocean that is wide,
Receptive,
Fast.
Letting yourself float on an ocean of compassion.
Letting yourself float on an ocean of compassion.
And listening to these words once again.
Everyone is on their own life journey.
Letting yourself float on an ocean of compassion.
Letting yourself float on an ocean of compassion.
Letting yourself float on an ocean of compassion.
Moments like these can be difficult to bear,
Yet I may be able to see them.
Now letting go of the practice.
Allowing any words or images to gently fade away.
And allowing yourself to be exactly as you are in this moment.
And whenever you're ready,
Gently opening the eyes.
