12:18

Bringing Kindness to Yourself

by Paul Riches

Rated
4.6
Type
guided
Activity
Meditation
Suitable for
Everyone
Plays
7.9k

It’s one thing to be kind to others and another to be kind to ourselves. Under pressure, our judgmental and self-critical inner dialogue runs away with itself; we say things to ourselves that we’d never dream saying to anyone, even to someone we really dislike. If you find yourself in the heat of difficult or unpleasant situation, when you feel most negative and frustrated, take a moment to pause and bring kindness to yourself; suddenly, something shifts and you’re free, open and whole again. Try this practice to explore bringing kindness to your experience and see what difference that makes. Find somewhere undisturbed, sit in a comfortable, dignified and upright posture where you can remain alert and aware. Then close your eyes while this meditation plays.

KindnessSelf CompassionInner DialogueEmotional AwarenessBody AwarenessLoving KindnessMeditationLoving Kindness PhrasesIntention SettingBreathing AwarenessIntentions

Transcript

Bell Bringing your attention and awareness to your body into this moment.

Aware of the weight of your body on the chair and the pressure of your feet against the floor.

Noticing the sensations of the clothes against your skin.

Really bringing yourself into direct contact with the experience of your physical sensations so that you're fully connected.

Becoming aware that your body is breathing and following your breath for a few moments.

Without drifting off into thought if you can.

Focusing on the physical sensations of your breath.

Only this in-breath and only this out-breath.

Using your breath to settle any movement and agitation in your mind.

And relax and release any tightness and tension in your body if you can.

Then letting go of following the breath for now and asking yourself what's going on for me now.

And seeing what arises.

Maybe there's something around the tension that's already here in your body.

Associated with feelings and emotions.

Perhaps there's been a particular mood that's been hanging around or an unresolved situation.

Just bringing this to mind if you can.

And if there's nothing in particular going on for you right now then recall the recent time when you felt frustrated,

Let down,

Disappointed or a mix of different emotions.

A time when you remember being a bit hard on yourself.

Observing thoughts,

Feelings,

Physical sensations.

And as you explore what's going on for you or what's going on for you in that recent situation.

See if you can listen to the inner dialogue if you can.

What were you saying to yourself?

Using curiosity to listen carefully to the tone of your inner voice,

The attitude you had.

Getting a real sense of your relationship with it.

And then bring kindness into your experience with openness,

Compassion,

Acceptance and understanding.

Maybe imagining that you're a nurturing and wise parent or adult.

Encouraging and feeling compassion for the younger version of yourself.

Bringing kindness to the stresses and strains in your body,

The challenges and obligations you put yourself under.

Speaking kind and nurturing thoughts.

Everything is okay.

You're a wonderful human being.

Full of potential,

Life and happiness.

Always so much more than the limited sense of self you sometimes experience.

And silently repeating some phrases of loving kindness.

May I be happy.

May I be healthy.

May I live with ease.

May I be kind with myself and others.

May I accept myself as I am.

Feeling open and grounded.

Setting the intention to practice kindness with yourself and others and see what difference that makes.

The 종 눕� Kill meat and don't cry.

Hoe to eat bread of the world.

You

Meet your Teacher

Paul RichesLondon

4.6 (490)

Recent Reviews

Peridotdotdot

May 15, 2020

It was very simple, which was what I needed. I'm going to do it again shortly.

Julia

October 15, 2019

Excellent as always. Lovely English accent!

alex

September 10, 2019

beautiful..just beautiful and may you be happy, may you be healthy, may you be kind yo yourself, live with ease thank you!

Beth

July 8, 2018

Very helpful meditation. Thank you!

Chris

June 5, 2018

Just what I needed. Very comforting and has helped with my difficult situation.

Christoffel

January 8, 2018

Thank you, it is always needed.

🌻Beda🌻

January 7, 2018

Really enjoyed this meditation! Need to return it it often as I’m trying to improve my self talk and self care. Thank you! 🌺🙏🌺

Cin

December 23, 2017

Helped to sit with negative feelings and allow them to resolve. Thank you.

Pat

October 26, 2017

Beautiful message & lovely pace- thank you

John

October 13, 2017

Have an easy time immersing into this meditation

Diana

October 3, 2017

Subtle and beautiful!

Dorea

September 30, 2017

Beautiful ! Loving kindness to self, thank you!!🙏🏽🙏🏽

Wendy

September 29, 2017

Excellent! I loved the metta phrases! Feeling grounded and at ease.

LJG

September 29, 2017

Thank you so much! I really need to hear your words of loving kindness this morning. 🙏🏻

Julie

September 29, 2017

I have bookmarked this one as I like the message and delivery, thank you, namaste 🙏🏻

Joanna

September 29, 2017

i like it a lot.

Isabelle

September 28, 2017

Beautiful. Wonderful reminder . Thankyou 🙏🏻❤️

Lillian

September 28, 2017

Much needed. Thank you for the gentle reminder.

Barb

September 28, 2017

Very calming. A good exploration of how I feel about myself and learning to treat myself better. Thank you. I'll be back!

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© 2026 Paul Riches. All rights reserved. All copyright in this work remains with the original creator. No part of this material may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner.

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