REDEFINING SELF-LOVE
Our entire lives flow out of our relationship with ourselves. Our outer situation is always a reflection of our inner world. Still, how many of us attempt to shame ourselves into improving? Or know how to give well to others, but not so much to ourselves? While we all have a deeper wisdom within, most of us do need a little help establishing it in daily life.
Week 1 Meditation:
IN THIS LESSON
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5-3-1-1- Meditation
What you mentally consume first thing in the morning can alter the rest of your day, and the 5-3-1-1 practice is my favorite way of meeting that truth with intention.Stay in bed for an extra five minutes. Or, if you know you’ll pass out again if you stay there, endure the nanosecond of pain it takes to swing your legs out of the bed and sit up for this. If you normally hit the snooze three times, hit it twice. You’ll thank me later. Either way:
5—Take five big, deep breaths.
3—Think of three things you’re grateful for. Feel them. Linger in the feeling.
1—Set one intention for how you want to live today.
1—Invoke one very fake smile. Just pretend you’re Jim Carrey. No one will know.
That’s it: a few minutes out of your day to thoroughly set the tone. Science estimates that this practice is about one million times better than checking your phone first thing in the morning.m description
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From: The Monkey Is the Messenger: Meditation and What Your Busy Mind Is Trying to Tell You
Chapter 11, The Monkey Is a Mensch
Chapter 6, Our Monkeys Ourselves
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JOURNAL PROMPT: WEEK 1
In the beginning of the talk, we remembered a time when we felt caring for another person, and we remembered a time when we felt cared for. For many of us, one aspect of the contemplation was more difficult than the other. For example, you may have been triggered, blocked or even flooded with memories when touching in what it’s like to feel cared about, but then the experience of caring for another person may have flowed relatively smoothly. Or both may have been difficult. Or both may have been smooth and rewarding for you.
Take a moment to reflect on your direct experience in the practice.
Do you notice any correlations with giving and receiving in your daily life and dynamics in your relationships? What about your family of origin? Any similarities? Insights?
Take some time to journal about your experience, and tell us as much or as little as you’d like to about what you notice here.