Compassionate Being
Instructions Please find a comfortable position, either sitting or lying down. Gently close your eyes. Take a few deep breaths to settle into your body. Put one or two hands over your heart or another soothing place to remind yourself to give yourself loving attention.
Safe Place Now imagining yourself in a place that is safe and comfortable—as comfortable as possible. It might be a cozy room with the fireplace, or a peaceful beach with a warm sun and a cool breeze, or a forest glade. It could also be an imaginary place, like floating on clouds…anywhere you feel reasonably peaceful and safe. Letting yourself enjoy being in this place. (pause).
Compassionate Friend Soon you’ll receive a visitor, a warm and compassionate presence—a compassionate friend—who embodies the qualities of wisdom, strength, and unconditional love. This being may be a spiritual figure; a wise, compassionate teacher; or a person from your past like a grandparent. He or she may have no particular form—perhaps this being is more like light, or a warm presence. Your compassionate friend cares deeply about you and would like you to be happy and free from unnecessary struggle. Please allow a being to come to mind.
Arrival You have a choice to go out from your safe place and meet your compassionate friend, or to invite him or her in. (pause) Please take that opportunity now, if you like. Placing yourself in just the right way in relation to your compassionate friend—whatever feels right. Imagining your compassionate friend in as much detail as possible, especially allowing yourself to feel what it’s like to be in his or her presence. There is nothing you need to do except to experience the moment. (pause).
Meeting Your compassionate friend is wise and all-knowing, and knows exactly where you are in your life journey. Your friend might want to tell you something, something that is just what you need to hear right now. Please take a moment and listen carefully to what your compassionate friend might have to say. (pause) If no words come, that’s okay, too—just continue to experience the good company. That’s a blessing in itself. And perhaps you would like to say something to your compassionate friend. Your friend listens deeply, and completely understands you. Is there anything you’d like to share? (pause) Your friend may also like to leave you with a gift—a material object. The object might simply appear in your hands or you may put out your hands and receive one—something that has special meaning to you. (pause) If something appears, what is it? (pause) Now taking a few more moments to enjoy your friend’s presence. (pause) And as you continue to enjoy his or her good company, allowing yourself to realize that your friend is actually a part of yourself. (pause) All the compassionate feelings, images, and words that you are experiencing flow from your own inner wisdom and compassion.