Becky leads us through a tree and sky meditation. This is a great meditation if you want to feel more gratitude and more balance in your life.  

Here's the link if you are wanting to sign up for the MSC online course or inquire about scholarships. 

https://www.mindfulartco.com/product-page/mindful-self-compassion-msc-course-online

In this episode, Becky teaches us a brief overview of the three steps and the three pillars of self-compassion (1-Mindfulness, 2-Common Humanity, 3-Self-kindness) and leads us in a self-compassion break meditation. She also discusses the scientifically prove benefits of practicing this exact meditation. A self-compassion break is a great way to deal with stressful situations in a healthy way and to nurture yourself while you are trying to survive all that life throws at you.  

"We are not the survival of the fittest, we are the survival of the nurtured." 

attachment scientist, Louis Cozolino 

To sign up for the Mindful Self Compassion course we are teaching with Ashley Kuchar click here https://www.mindfulartco.com/product-page/mindful-self-compassion-msc-course-online or visit https://www.mindfulartco.com/

To follow along with us in our handbook, get your copy here: https://www.mindfulartco.com/product-page/self-compassion-handbook-early-edition Becky is a trained Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher. You can learn more about Mindful Self-Compassion and all the research studies here: https://centerformsc.org/

Text to the meditation...

Think of a situation in your life that is difficult and is causing you stress. You will want to think of something that is moderately stressful not overwhelming for this practice. 

You can use this at any time, day or night but if you practice it in a calm moment it may be easier for you to experience all three parts of self-compassion—mindfulness, common humanity, and self-kindness—when you need them most.

In this episode, Becky tells a Chinese legend about Quan Yin. She is a Buddhist god that rides on the back of a dragon and sprinkles compassion on the entire world. We have a discussion about finding our own dragons - these wild beasts that are preventing us from sprinkling self-compassion on ourselves and others. We can make weak things strong by learning to balance on them instead of letting them eat us up or trying to destroy them. The first step to making friends with our dragons is acknowledging them, so this episode will help you do exactly that.  

Photo of Quan Yin statue: https://www.instagram.com/p/CJ0O9Rdh2rS/

If you would like to follow along with us in our handbook, get your copy here: https://www.mindfulartco.com/product-page/self-compassion-handbook-early-edition Becky is a trained Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher. You can learn more about Mindful Self-Compassion and all the research studies here: https://centerformsc.org/

In this episode, Becky and Candace talk about two systems all humans have. The Threat Defense System (often called the fight, flight, or freeze mode of our brains), which is controlled by our amygdala or "lizard brain", and the Mammalian Care System, which is controlled by our prefrontal cortex--the most advanced brain of any living creature. Knowing more about how our brains work in these two ways will guide you to an easier path of self-compassion and even an easier way to anything. We want you to live a life of ease--and this episode teaches you how!

When I am among the trees

Mary Oliver

When I am among the trees,

I am so distant from the hope of myself,

Around me the trees stir in their leaves

And they call again, “It’s simple,” they say,

In this episode, we talk about what it means to be real. When we practice self-compassion, we create a space of kindness that allows us to become who really are. And who we really want to become. Becky reads an excerpt from the children's book,  "The Velveteen Rabbit," and we discuss becoming real through Self-compassion. We also give you a tool to make compassion more real in your life--your self-compassion color. We show you how to find it and how it can be a useful tool. 

Excerpt from The Velveteen Rabbit

by Margery Williams

"What is REAL?" asked the Rabbit one day, when they were lying side by side near the nursery fender, before Nana came to tidy the room. "Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out-handle?"

"Real isn't how you are made," said the Skin Horse. "It's a thing that happens to you. When a child loves you for a long, long time, not just to play with , but REALLY loves you, then you become Real."

"Does it hurt?" asked the Rabbit.

"Sometimes," said the Skin Horse, for he was always truthful. "When you are Real you don't mind being hurt."

"Does it happen all at once, like being wound up," he asked, "or bit by bit?" 

"It doesn't happen all at once," said the Skin Horse. "You become. It takes a long time... Generally, by the time you are Real, most of your hair has been loved off, and your eyes drop out and you get loose in the joints and very shabby. But these things don't matter at all, because once you are Real you can't be ugly, except to people who don't understand."

"I suppose you are real?" said the Rabbit. And then he wished he had not said it, for he thought the Skin Horse might be sensitive. 

But the Skin Horse only smiled. 

In this episode, we figure out what our inner critic sounds like and what our compassionate voice sounds like. We also discuss how to write a compassionate letter to yourself. 

Why don't we all just practice self-compassion naturally? First off, there is an uncomfortable side of self-compassion--the word "compassion" literally means "to suffer with." No one likes to feel uncomfortable, so we will avoid it. The second reason we don't naturally practice self-compassion is that there are a bunch of myths floating around that self-compassion will make us lazy or self-centered. In this episode, we dive into the uncomfortable feelings, the myths, and also the truths of mindful self-compassion. After listening, we would love to hear which myth or truth resonates with you! Continue the conversation at home or with us on Instagram @mindfulartco

Becky mentions Byron Katie. You can find more about her here: https://thework.com/

To follow along with us in our handbook, get your copy here: https://www.mindfulartco.com/product-page/self-compassion-handbook-early-edition  Becky is a trained Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher. You can learn more about Mindful Self-Compassion and all the research studies here: https://centerformsc.org/

What is the difference between a journey and an adventure? We talk about this and how self-compassion may look more like an adventure for you. There are ups, downs, sometimes it's even boring! But you guys, this adventure is so worth it. Becky leads us in a short meditation at the end and asks the question "Why Am I Here?" After listening, we'd love to hear about your own adventures and why you are here. Why have you chosen self-compassion? 

Come tell us @MindfulArtCo on Instagram or Facebook.

Becky is a trained Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher. You can learn more about Mindful Self-Compassion and all the research studies here: https://centerformsc.org/

To purchase a handbook, or learn more about our company visit mindfulartco.com

Hi! We are Becky Farley and Candace Little and we're inviting you to spend a few minutes with us each week. Why? Because we have seen mindful self-compassion change lives. Our lives, our friends, family, and the thousands of kids, teens, and adults we have taught self-compassion to. There is truly an art and science of practicing self-compassion and we will share it with you on this podcast a little bit at a time. This allows you to begin exactly where you are at in your own experience with mindfulness or self-compassion. In this first episode, we tell our own self-compassion stories and why we created the Mindful Art Company, this podcast, and our self-compassion handbook.  

Becky is a trained Mindful Self-Compassion Teacher. You can learn more about Mindful Self-Compassion and all the research studies here: https://centerformsc.org/

To purchase a handbook, or learn more about our company visit mindfulartco.com

Or come see us on Instsagram or Facebook @MindfulArtCompany