- So with that, let's go ahead and get into
a just-like-me meditation.
And for this meditation, two things.
The first is that I really want you
to find a comfortable position.
For this, I want you to really, really feel your body
and yourself be in a mood of comfortability
as much as possible.
And the second thing is,
we're going to be creating a partner in our minds
to meditate with.
So as much as possible,
try to use that brain to see, hear, smell,
use all of the senses to create this partner.
And we'll have a meditation partner in our minds
instead of in our sights today,
which will be interesting.
So we'll see how that goes.
And I'd love to hear your feedback about that.
All right, so finding that comfortable meditative position
and closing your eyes,
if that's comfortable for you,
or soft gaze to the floor is just fine.
(calm music)
As you find yourself in that position,
I want you to bring to mind today,
someone who is a colleague, or an associate that you know,
you can absolutely see in your mind's eye,
but that you could know better.
So I want this to be someone that you haven't quite
got the chance to bond with.
As you bring that person to mind, again,
see all the sights of them, their hair, their face.
(calm music)
As you become aware of this person in your mind's eye,
in front of you, a fellow human being just like you,
I want you to silently repeat these phrases
while keeping your mind's eye on your partner.
This person has a body and a mind, just like me.
This person has feelings, emotions, and thoughts,
just like me.
This person has, in his, or her, or their lives,
experienced physical
and emotional pain and suffering,
just like me.
This person has, at some point, been sad,
disappointed, angry,
or hurt, just like me.
This person has felt unworthy or inadequate,
just like me.
This person worries and is frightened sometimes,
just like me.
This person has longed for friendship,
just like me.
This person is learning about life, just like me.
And this person wants to be caring and kind to others,
just like me.
This person wants to be content
with what life has given them,
just like me.
This person wishes to be free from pain and suffering,
just like me,
This person wishes to be safe and healthy, just like me.
And this person wishes to be happy and loved,
just like me.
And as you keep this colleague or associate in mind,
silently allow some well wishes to arise for their being.
I wish that this person have the strength, resources,
and social support,
to navigate all the difficulties in life with ease.
I wish that this person be free from pain and suffering.
Wish that this person be peaceful and happy.
And I wish that this person be loved.
Because this person is a fellow human being,
just like me.
As we continue to keep this person in mind,
I'd like for you to send a gentle gratitude to them,
just a gentle thank you,
for allowing them to be your partner today.
Even if just in the mind's eye.
And as you notice any feelings, emotions,
reactions that might come up from having said these words
to this partner.
Going to end with a quick poem by Rumi,
just to get us thinking
about how important this is in connection.
This four-line poem reads:
"What is the body? Endurance.
What is love? Gratitude.
What is hidden in our chests? Laughter.
And what else? Compassion."
And thinking about how these four things,
endurance, gratitude, laughter, compassion,
are four things that we all experience,
all human beings on this earth.
How simply reframing our mind
from seeing people in a lens of fear,
to this lens of love, gratitude,
laughter, compassion, endurance,
can help us to create a different world.
With that intention,
with that understanding,
noticing how this feels in your body,
you can begin to wiggle your fingers and toes,
and open your eyes,
bringing yourself back into the room.
Thank you so much for the opportunity
to share that practice with you.
It's a deep one.
It's one that can elicit some emotions,
and that we like to share at the end of our experiences,
and gatherings, and in workshops,
so that we can remember that we all are united people.
(calm music)