Meditation with Valerie

We are hardwired, often socialised as well, to give ourselves a hard time.  This is a function of the brain that is concerned with your survival, though not at all with your happiness. A harsh inner voice is counterproductive to your wellbeing. A good intention, a willingness to soften … this is a good place to start. 

You have probably heard of the ‘fight or flight’ system. This meditation activates the lesser known ‘tend and befriend’ system. Include yourself in this naturally warm and fuzzy vibe. Whoever you are, wherever you are, this is a powerful rebalancing exercise. 

Many people find self-compassion difficult, whereas compassion for others comes easily. Both are good for your wellbeing. This meditation helps you to draw on your capacity for compassion, then invites you to offer it to yourself.

Practice sitting on the riverbank, feel that restful place. Soon you will be able to access this calming place when you are out and about, living your busy life … because it is within you.  Be willing to give yourself moments of rest. 

The chatterbox mind is like a river, ceaselessly flowing and churning. This meditation helps you to get familiar with a different aspect of mind. This is your witnessing mind; it does not judge nor get swept away. It has a spacious, very restful quality. 

This meditation offers a powerful circuit   breaker for those counter-productive stories we keep telling ourselves. When we drop the story, we drop the judgements and the fixed ideas too. Therein lies the possibility for something new, to create a new pathway. 

Not only is the chatterbox mind a story making mined with a negative bias, in the absence of information it makes stuff up. This combination often turns out badly and we keep telling ourselves the same unhelpful stories. Name them … see them more clearly.  

If you are looking for a quick refresh, this could be just the thing. You will still be ticking all the boxes – checking in with your body, leaning into self-care, increasing your attention, and better managing stress as well. 

A body scan is restful and restorative. It also allows for a different mind body conversation. Your body does not have language, it has memory and emotion, in the form of sensation. Be willing, be curious to listen … this will help your body to release its own stress. 

Meditation is a kind of strength training. Be patient – simple doesn’t mean easy. Be on the look-out for positive benefits throughout the day, and maybe more restful nights as well.