Hi,
I'm Marybeth Hyland,
Teacher here on Insight Timer and author of Permission to Be Human,
The Conscious Leader's Guide to Creating a Values Driven Culture.
In today's guided practice,
I am going to take you through a journey of beginning to give yourself permission to be human so that you can do the same for others.
And the reason that this is so important is because we are often our greatest critics.
We are so judgmental of ourselves and when we do that,
We don't realize that we are not able to unconditionally not do that to others.
So when we can actually give ourselves permission to be human,
Recognizing that we are perfectly imperfect,
That we need to meet ourselves where we are and not where we want to be,
That we can make mistakes and do better in the future.
When we really can do that for ourselves,
That's when we can ultimately do that for others.
And so this practice is going to take us on an inner journey of understanding where we might need some support in giving you permission to be human right now so that you can begin to reframe,
To release and to align with who you really are when you give that full permission.
So let's begin by uncrossing your legs if they're crossed.
Giving yourself a little stretch,
Just making yourself comfortable.
Perhaps you want to roll your neck,
Your wrists,
Your ankles,
Whatever is going to help you feel good in this moment in your body.
And when you're ready,
You can gaze down or close your eyes,
Whatever is most comfortable to you,
And begin taking long,
Deep breaths in and out of the nose,
Feeling your belly rise and fall.
And just begin to notice where you may be holding tension in your body,
Starting with your face.
And with each exhale,
Just releasing any tension,
Perhaps around your eyes,
In your neck,
In your shoulders.
Just allow anything that's feeling tight to loosen with the exhale.
Begin to just really tune into this beautiful vessel,
This keeper of your soul,
Your body that is here to serve you in this lifetime.
Paying attention to where it may need some extra love and giving it that.
Once you begin to feel that divine connection between your body and your breath,
Your mind,
Allow yourself to bring into your imagination any areas in your life where you may be withholding permission to be human.
This may be through judgments,
Criticisms,
Unkind thoughts that you would never say to somebody you loved.
Bring to mind the most prominent one right now,
The one that may be taking over your sense of well-being.
For me,
That is,
I am not enough.
What is that for you?
What might be the unkind,
Untruth that you repeat to yourself?
Just hold it in your mind's eye without judgment,
Without allowing it to take over your well-being.
Just noticing it,
Observing it,
Being conscious of its presence.
And using your breath,
Release this thought on each exhale.
Really feel it leaving your body,
Going out through your nostrils,
Not living inside of you anymore.
And with each inhale,
Replace that message with one that serves you,
One that is the truth,
Such as,
I am more than enough.
Whatever that statement is for you,
Allow it to come in with each inhale,
Flooding your body with these positive feelings,
This higher vibration,
Something that you can say that serves you instead of knocking you down.
Reach yourself right there,
Knowing this may not feel natural quite yet,
But this is the beginning.
And whenever the old thought or statement comes in,
Gently remind yourself that you do know how to suspend judgment and that you can replace it with compassion.
Compassion for yourself first.
Continue to repeat that phrase that serves you as you fill yourself with compassion.
I am enough.
I am lovable.
I am worthy of all the good that's coming my way.
Whatever it might be for you,
Continue to bring it in in your inhale.
Now remind yourself that boundaries begin with you and that as these thoughts,
Judgments,
And truths show up throughout the day,
Throughout life,
That you can set a boundary with them.
You can change the message by simply changing your energy towards yourself.
And in doing this,
You are choosing your well-being.
You are prioritizing what you need in order to truly live in alignment with who you are and not who anybody else wants you to be or said you should be or shouldn't be,
But who you are when you are a true reflection of your values.
Those inner parts of you that serve as motivation,
Aliveness,
Purpose.
Your values can be activated when you truly allow yourself this permission to be human.
Releasing anybody else's thoughts about what that can or should be and fully embracing only yours of what you know you are here to be.
And continuing with these long deep breaths,
On your next inhale,
Bring your hands to your heart and if you're comfortable,
Place them directly on your skin and begin to feel the beat of your heart against the palm of your hand,
Knowing you are here to serve this part of you.
This amazing keeper of wisdom,
Of love,
Of possibility,
That you're here to tune in,
To slow down,
To release what doesn't serve you.
Always being able to do that through your heart,
Through your breath,
Through your mind,
And through your spirit.
And gently bow your head towards your heart in gratitude for taking this time to prioritize yourself.
And to close us today,
I'm going to recite the permission to be human pledge.
They ask that you repeat it after me,
Either aloud or in your mind,
Whichever is going to serve you best.
I promise to honor what makes me perfectly imperfect.
I promise to meet myself where I am,
Not where I want to be.
I promise to suspend judgment and ignite compassion.
I promise to set healthy boundaries to protect my energy.
I promise to prioritize my well-being by embodying my values.
And in doing so,
I promise to give myself and others permission to be human.
Now bring just a gentle and loving smile to your face.
Once again thanking yourself for choosing this practice,
For choosing your humanity,
For choosing you.
And when you're ready,
You can slowly begin to wiggle your fingers and toes,
Give your neck a roll.
Whatever is going to make you come back to your body,
Come back to this moment.
Slowly flutter your eyes open.
In closing,
I want to once again thank you for going on this journey,
Choosing to give yourself permission to be human first is the only way to unconditionally give it to others.
So anytime you are feeling that you are withholding that permission,
Come back to this practice and remind yourself of the power you already have within you all the time.
I look forward to seeing you again,
To being together here in community.
Namaste.
