Hello,
Friend.
For many of us,
We are up and quick to light the candles for others,
Offering kindness to their shadows,
Warmth to their fears.
But how often do we return to our own flame?
How often do we let it burn brightly for ourselves?
We live in a world that teaches us to pour our energy outward,
Measuring worth through achievements,
Comparison,
And self-sacrifice.
We internalize voices of criticism,
Fearing that kindness towards ourselves is indulgent or weak,
Or that it might extinguish the drive to improve.
Past wounds,
Guilt,
And the discomfort of vulnerability build walls that keep compassion at bay,
While the glow we offer to others leaves our own hearts in shadows.
But,
As Buddha reminds us,
Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle and the life of the candle will not be shortened.
You see,
Happiness never decreases by being shared.
To light your own flame with self-compassion is not selfish.
It's the source of all other light.
So for today's meditation,
We will turn inward to light our own flame,
Remembering that the brighter it burns within us,
The more light we have to share with the world.
So close your eyes and let the world soften around you,
A quiet rhythm,
Like the gentle flicker of a flame.
In your chest,
Imagine a small candle resides.
It's light,
Faint,
Yet present.
It's wax softened,
It's wick weary.
Your candle is dimmed by feelings of inadequacy,
By a belief that you are undeserving of the light of self-compassion.
But remember the words of Buddha,
The life of the candle will not be shortened.
The love you offer yourself does not diminish,
It deepens like a flame growing steadier,
Spreading warmth inward first,
Then outward,
Illuminating everything it touches.
On your next inhale,
Breathe in the intention of kindness,
As if gently cupping your hands around the flame,
And whisper softly within,
May I feel worthy of love.
May I be gentle with myself.
May I accept myself as I am.
And as you repeat those words,
Notice how they land within you.
Is there a gust of guilt?
A breeze of unworthiness that arises to tell you to dim your flame?
To tell you that your light should only burn for others.
But Buddha reminds us,
Happiness never decreases by being shared.
Your candle must first burn brightly for you.
On your next exhale,
Release the winds,
Those whispers of not enough,
And let your flame stand taller,
Steadier.
With each breath,
Tend to your candle like a cherished companion and whisper,
Once again,
May I feel worthy of love.
May I be gentle with myself.
May I accept myself as I am.
May I feel worthy of love.
May I be gentle with myself.
May I accept myself as I am.
Feel your wax soften,
Even more.
But it's wick,
Standing straighter than ever before.
The flame expands.
It's warmth reaching every corner of your body,
Melting the tension in your shoulders,
Loosening the tightness in your chest.
This light is your birthright,
And it asks for nothing but your care.
Now let yourself rest in the glow of your own flame.
Feel its warmth as a quiet truth.
You are worthy of kindness.
You are deserving of love.
This flame will not falter,
As its light is infinite.
When you nourish your candle,
You nourish your soul.
And in that act,
You become the source of your own peace.
I will leave you to practice for a moment longer,
Illuminating the candle within you,
By repeating those words of love and self-compassion.
May I feel worthy of love.
May I be gentle with myself.
I accept myself as I am.
Continue to repeat these words of self-compassion or add your own,
Until you hear my voice again.
Start to sense the physical world around you once again,
The ground beneath your feet,
The air against your skin.
Take one last deep inhale and exhale.
Let these final words echo in your heart.
Thousands of candles can be lit from a single candle,
And the life of the candle will not be shortened.
Happiness never decreases by being shared.
Now you understand.
Your flame is not a luxury,
But a necessity.
Let it burn for you.
Let it remind you.
A candle's glow starts within.
So let its warmth be where you begin.
May your mind,
Your body and your spirit be abundant with peace.
May you feel worthy of love.
May you be gentle with yourself.
And may you accept yourself as you are.
Until we meet again,
My friend.
Namaste.
