Compassion for Ourselves

"If your compassion does not include yourself, it is incomplete."  Jack Kornfield

Last night in aftercare we were listening to a mindfulness lecture on compassion

And one of the exercises involved being kind to ourselves.

The lecturer said to find areas of our bodies where we had stress or pain. And when we did we were to send those areas feelings of warmth, love and softness as a way of showing ourselves compassion.

Afterward, as we discussed the exercise, most in the group found it uncomfortable.

And the reason is that many of us addicts live with what we did to ourselves and others while using.

We ran amok for years abusing ourselves and those around us. We lost everything. Our freedom. Our families. Our health. It's little wonder we look at ourselves negatively.

And to free ourselves of self-loathing takes effort. We must start doing constructive things like going to meetings. Finding a job. Making amends. Exercising and eating right.  Taking care of ourselves.

Exercises in self-compassion - like the one we did last night - can be a step toward healing.

Click here to email John