Reset, part 2

YES, YOU CAN DO IT!

DAAJI shares some simple mental practices that will help you accept your thoughts and emotions, and feel at peace with yourself. They are best done alone and all of them are great balancing exercises.

Dear friends,

There are many instances in our lives where we feel hurt by others. Perhaps they tell us off, point out deficiencies, or are angry for no apparent reason. At other times we go through feelings of grief and sadness upon losing a loved one. And in our day-to-day dealings with people at work there may be someone whose attitude is disturbing to our level of peacefulness. Sometimes we feel resentment if people don’t meet our expectations. All these situations can create such ripples in our minds that we are unable to let go of what that person did to us.

Also, there are situations where we hurt others, sometimes knowingly and sometimes unknowingly, and we feel deep regret. If someone close to us has died we may feel such sadness that we did not say something important to them, but it is too late. These disturbing issues can leave heaviness and impressions in our hearts.

How can we deal with these all-too-common human frailties? How can we come to a state of equanimity, feeling compassion and empathy for others, or compassion and empathy for ourselves. How can we prevent the thoughts and emotions from disturbing us and come to a sense of resolution and acceptance?

Here are a few exercises that will help to bring a state of acceptance and of forgiveness, and allow you to find inner peace.

Seeding positive thoughts toward someone who has hurt you

Sit comfortably and close your eyes.

Imagine the form of the person in front of you.

Have the thought that, “This person is my friend and well-wisher.”

Think that all negative thoughts the person has about you are going, and thoughts related to your welfare have been infused in them instead.

Whenever you have the opportunity to go near the person, gently and subtly pay attention very indirectly to their face, without staring.

When you breathe out, have the thought that particles of your love and affection are entering their heart.

When you breathe in, have the thought that you are pulling all the negative thoughts they have about you from their heart and throwing them aside.

Initially this task may seem difficult, and you may feel resistance, but if you are courageous it will become easy as you practice it.

The empty chair technique for unresolved issues.

This technique can help us to express our emotions in a safe space where we can communicate feelings of sadness, anger, or guilt. Perhaps it is with someone who has passed away, or someone with whom you have had an argument or hurt in some way, either knowingly or unknowingly. It is derived from the Gestalt Empty Chair technique. Do this somewhere where you will not feel disturbed.

Put out two chairs facing each other.

Sit in one of the chairs and imagine that the other person is sitting facing you, and listening to what you have to say. You may even speak to a part of yourself.

Begin a conversation, explaining your thoughts and feelings, and whatever else you would like to say to that person. Feel free to be honest and authentic toward yourself and the other.

When you feel that you have been able to express what was needed, move to the other chair and respond from the other person’s perspective. That is taking on their role.

This simple exercise can be repeated until you feel a sense of connection, peace, and understanding from both sides.

Journaling

Every day, spend 15 minutes of quiet time with your journal. Only you will see this journal. Explore how you are feeling and draw or write your observations. Try to do this without over-thinking or judging, just let your feelings flow onto the page.

Self-acceptance

Sit comfortably and relax. Close your eyes and rest in your heart for a few moments. Feel your heart’s natural acceptance and let it spread through you. Allow this state of acceptance to expand through your whole system.

Have the conviction that deep within your heart there is a space that is free from fear and from resentment. Here you will experience total freedom, taking refuge in this space. A regular meditation practice will help you to feel free of your emotional limitations.

Have the conviction that deep within
your heart there is a space that is free
from fear and from resentment. Here
you will experience total freedom,
taking refuge in this space. A regular
meditation practice will help you to
feel free of your emotional limitations.

If you are experiencing deep depression or other extreme feelings, please contact a health practitioner.

I wish you all well in your journey to deeper understanding of your higher self and purpose in this life,

Daaji