Before we begin,
This meditation series is meant for people who find it hard to sit down.
I encourage you to do this work while taking a stroll,
Or cleaning something in your home,
Or something that you can do actively that still allows you to pay attention to the words here and your bodily sensations.
Additionally,
This series explores early relationships and physical pain,
Which may bring up strong emotions or body sensations.
If you tend to feel disconnected from your body,
Float away,
Or lose track of the present moment,
Know that this is your nervous system's natural protection.
You might find it helpful to keep your eyes open,
Feel the weight of your body on the chair or the bed or the ground,
Or hold something with texture or temperature in your hands.
You can pause or end this practice at any time.
Where safety and comfort are top priority.
And one content warning,
We talk about safe and comforting touch in this series.
So if you feel this might make you uncomfortable,
I encourage you to find a different meditation or to work with a licensed therapist alongside this series.
Welcome to this unique journey of healing.
In the next eight days,
We'll explore your relationship with pain in a way that honors your early experiences and how they shape your present moment.
Many of us learned early in life how to respond to pain and discomfort in a way that pleased the adults around us,
Perhaps by being strong,
Pushing through or keeping quiet.
These early lessons,
While they helped us survive,
Also live and remain in our nervous system,
Weaving past traumas into our present moment experiences of pain.
This series offers a gentle space to explore these patterns.
We'll move slowly and with great care for your comfort and safety as we discover how your earliest experiences of being comforted or needing comfort influence your present relationship with pain.
And now we begin.
Please find a position that allows your body to be supported.
This might be lying down,
Sitting,
Or any position where you can fully be present with your experience.
If no position is comfortable for you,
Choose the position that causes the least amount of pain and allow yourself to move and shift as often as you need.
Remember,
You can also do this while walking or moving around.
And you're also encouraged to end this meditation whenever you desire without shame.
You can always come back to this at any time to continue your practice.
Taking breaks is a good way to teach your nervous system that it can trust you.
And with that said,
I encourage you to take in a slow,
Deep breath and out,
Allowing your body to settle into this space of gentleness.
Today we're simply creating a container of safety.
There's nothing you need to fix or change because your pain is allowed to be here.
Your pain is allowed to be witnessed.
Your feelings about your pain are welcome here.
Your history,
All of it,
Is welcome here.
Any time your mind speeds up and tries to rush this process,
I invite you to notice the support beneath you.
Feel where your body makes contact with the surface supporting you.
This present moment support is real and tangible.
As we continue this week,
We'll explore how your earliest experiences might influence how you relate to pain today.
But for now,
Simply acknowledge that you're here showing up for yourself in this moment.
If you notice any resistance,
That's completely natural.
Let that be here too.
Everything that arises is welcome in this space with gentle awareness.
You might have been taught that resistance is bad and that you have to push through it,
Which means you might not know what resistance actually is and feels like in your own mind and body.
So that's what we'll explore here today.
In your own time,
Bring your attention to your breath,
Paying attention to the breath pattern you're currently in.
Not forcing it to be any particular way,
Just noticing its natural rhythm for a moment.
If you're feeling pulled to deepen or smooth out your breathing pattern,
You're welcome to do so.
But if feeling seen and heard and your desire to resist is empowering,
Then please allow yourself more time in welcoming this experience.
As we close this first practice,
Know that you've already begun something really powerful,
Creating a space where all parts of your experience can be held with compassion.
I honor your courage in exploring this path,
And we'll meet again tomorrow to continue this journey together.
