Self-Compassion As a Morning Practice

Summary

The website content describes a morning routine focused on self-compassion, involving a heart-centered affirmation for personal well-being and extending compassion to others.

Abstract

The article titled "Self-Compassion as a Morning Practice" emphasizes the importance of starting the day with self-care. It details a personal account of overcoming self-criticism through a daily self-compassion practice. This practice involves placing hands over the heart, closing the eyes, and repeating affirmations for personal happiness, health, safety, freedom from fear, and peace. The ritual is then expanded to include wishes of well-being for all beings. The author notes that this practice has helped them become kinder to themselves and less judgmental. The article concludes with the Sanskrit greeting "Namaste," signifying a recognition of the divine in oneself and others.

Opinions

The author acknowledges a personal struggle with self-criticism and the effort to translate intellectual understanding of its origins into heartfelt self-compassion.
The self-compassion practice is presented as an effective method for cultivating self-kindness and reducing self-judgment.
The author believes in the power of affirmations and their ability to positively influence one's mindset and emotional state.
There is an emphasis on the importance of extending compassion beyond oneself to include all beings, suggesting a belief in the interconnectedness of well-being.
The use of the word "Namaste" indicates a spiritual or philosophical perspective that values the unity and equality of all individuals.

Start the day with self-care

I’m hard on myself, talking to myself in ways that I would never use with a friend or even a stranger. I know where it comes from, but knowing something with your mind doesn’t always translate into knowing it with your heart. So, I started a self-compassion practice each morning that has helped me treat myself with more kindness and less judgment. I’m less critical and more willing to cut myself some slack.

I place both hands over my heart, close my eyes, and repeat the following three times.

May I be happy.

May I be healthy.

May I be safe.

May I be free from fear.

May I have peace.

Then, I repeat it 3 times for others:

May all be happy.

May all be healthy.

May all be safe.

May all be free from fear.

May all have peace.

Namaste.