Taking refuge in kindness is coming home to yourself with a gesture of kindness when you are feeling anxious, lonely, depressed, and down on yourself.
Tara Brach teaches us to have a little self-compassion:
The way of healing and homecoming begins with what I call “a gesture of kindness.” You might for instance put your hand on your heart—letting the touch be tender—and send a message inwardly. It might be “It’s okay, sweetheart.” Or “I care about this suffering.” Or, “I’m sorry and I love you.” Often, it’s simply, “This, too.”Sometimes, this gesture of kindness includes saying “yes” to whatever’s going on—the yes meaning, “This is what’s happening, it’s how life is right now … it’s okay.”If you’re really down on yourself, you can also say “Forgiven, forgiven.” Not because there’s something wrong to forgive, but because there’s some judgment to let go of.As you offer yourself this gesture of kindness, take some moments to stay with yourself, to keep yourself company. Allow whatever most wants attention to surface, and sense that you are the loving presence that can include and embrace whatever’s arising. [Read More…]
In this short video, she talks about the Dalai Lama‘s famous statement, “My religion is kindness,” and reflects on the power of committing ourselves simply to cultivating a kind heart.
She was one of the presenters in the Sounds True series on The Compassionate Brain hosted by Rick Hanson.
What do you do when you are feeling anxious, lonely, depressed, and down on yourself? This article can help. Please share.
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