Meditation with Heart with Kimberly Brown
Meditation with Heart Podcast
A Meditation Because You Deserve Love and Kindness, Too
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A Meditation Because You Deserve Love and Kindness, Too

Why Am I So Hard on Myself? 3 of 4 🪷

If you’re just joining us for this month’s theme, please read the earlier posts:
Introduction
Week 1 Instructions
Week 2 Instructions

If you’re interested in this newsletter and its values — lovingkindness, wisdom, interconnection, compassion, gratitude, generosity — that means it’s likely you’re striving to be a good friend, parent, spouse, and citizen. I’m pretty sure that you do your best to speak and act towards others with respect and care because it’s important to you — but sadly, you might not do the same for yourself because you don’t think you deserve it.

Maybe you learned that you have to earn love — that you have to do something wonderful or be someone special or perfect to deserve the same affection, patience, and caring that you extend to others. But wisdom suggests that everyone merits love. Indeed, the quality love, by its very definition, is indiscriminate. That means that every being is worthy of your generosity, gentleness, and respect, including you — even if you make a mistake or cause harm.

It’s your generosity that makes these teachings possible. If this newsletter is beneficial to you, become a Paid Subscriber today🪴.

Today’s meditation will help you remember that you don’t have to justify or qualify for love — you deserve it because we all deserve it. We’ll practice experiential lovingkindness through quiet acceptance of the present moment. And I’ll offer a brief self-forgiveness practice for those of you who can’t open your heart to yourself because you feel too guilty or ashamed, so you can let go of the past and offer yourself the gentleness and compassion you deserve.

This week, I’d like you to notice when you’re comparing yourself to other people. It might be obvious, “she’s so much smarter than me”. Or it could be subtle, like a thought that says “you’re too old to go back to school”. Don’t argue or reason with your comparison. Instead, put your hand on your heart, take a breath, and say quietly, “This is a form of suffering.” Share your insights with the rest of us in our chat group.

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  • Important: anytime you’re swept into future worries or plans, or past memories or regrets — these are signals telling you that you’re caught in a delusion! Non-delusion (aka reality) is here and now, in the present moment, neither in the past nor in the future. Come back to reality simply by returning your attention to your senses.

  • Make a commitment to meditate daily but don’t be mean to yourself if you miss a day. (There is never a reason to be mean to yourself!). Just remember your motivation for practice, and gently begin again.

  • If you’re like me, you will quickly notice that you get lost and have to return to this moment many, many, times! You might think that’s discouraging, but guess what? That’s the practice! And every time you come back you’re doing it! Nice work!

“Not am I worthy enough, but am I free enough to awaken and disrupt everything old and unnecessary in my life?”

Zenju Earthlyn Manuel, The Deepest Peace: Contemplations from a Season of Stillness

Today is Inauguration Day in the United States. Some of you may be celebrating, others despairing. But however you feel about the new administration, please remember that all Americans are connected to each other and affect each other and the world, and consider how you can wisely orient your words, thoughts, and actions to contribute to an equitable and compassionate country for everyone who lives here.

May we be free from hatred and ill-will. May we recognize each other as sisters and brothers, and remember our inextricable connection to one another. May our efforts dispel the darkness and suffering of all sentient beings everywhere. Sabbe satta sukhi hontu.

May it be so!

Take it light.

Metta+++,

Kim✨

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