Love Practiced: Inner Compassion and Mindfulness

Sometimes, the chaos of the world makes it difficult to even fathom the concept of "practiced love," yet, when we actively pursue it, something powerful stirs within us, offering a remedy to stress and disconnection. Practiced love is rooted in the journey to discover our personal wellspring of compassion and mindfulness. It's a transformative approach that not only nurtures our own well-being but also spreads healing to those in our midst. 

It involves extending the same kindness and understanding to ourselves that we readily offer to our dearest friends. However, self-compassion isn't always an innate trait; it's a skill that necessitates deliberate cultivation, and that's where mindfulness becomes an essential companion on this profound journey.  

Cultivating Inner Compassion Through Mindfulness 

Inner compassion is at the core of the love we nurture within. It's what compels us to treat ourselves with the same kindness and understanding we readily offer our friends. Mindfulness, on the other hand is that non-judgmental awareness of the present moment that empowers us to deepen our attunement to our thoughts, emotions, and sensations without getting tangled up. When we practice mindfulness, we create the space for self-reflection and acceptance to observe our inner dialogue without harsh judgment, acknowledging any suffering and responding with the kind of compassion we readily extend to others. 

Through mindfulness, we start tapping into our emotional landscape. We learn to recognize when we're grappling with challenges, feeling stressed, or experiencing moments of self-doubt. This self-awareness becomes the solid ground on which we build practiced love. We often find ourselves in a common trap, pouring out our compassion until we're running on empty, and then hoping to receive it in return from those we've poured into. But with practiced love, we flip the script. It enables us to keep our own cups full so that the love overflowing from our hearts nourishes those around us. This way, we never risk reaching that point of emptiness. 

Here are some ways to cultivate Inner Compassion through mindfulness:  

• Inner-Child Compassion: Imagine your inner child and offer them the love and comfort they needed at various points in your life. Envisioning our inner child enables us to engage in the practice of experiencing love, both in giving and receiving.  Practiced love in this regard serves as a powerful tool for healing past wounds and acts as a catalyst for fostering self-compassion within us. 
• Mirror Gazing: Prioritize starting each morning by intentionally heading to the bathroom, standing in front of the mirror, and locking eyes with our own reflection. As this is the first conversation of our day, the exchange presents the perfect opportunity to purposefully speak words of love, affirmation, and encouragement to the person gazing back at us. Embrace this practice as a reflection of the compassion each of us genuinely deserves. 
• Exercise Gratitude: Establish a beautiful ritual in which we express gratitude for our body, mind, and spirit. Enhancing the moment, we can add a touch of tranquility by lighting a candle, gently closing our eyes, and softly expressing gratitude for every aspect of our being. 
• Create an Affirmation Altar: Craft a sacred space adorned with affirmations, empowering quotes, and inspiring images that resonate with self-compassion. Visit this altar daily, immersing ourselves in its wisdom and allowing it to strengthen and fortify our hearts. 
• Write Soulfully: Allocate a specific time to pen a heartfelt letter to ourselves. Pour out our deepest feelings, dreams, and the challenges onto the paper. Let your words be infused with the tender embrace of self-love. Whisper these words as a repeated reminder to nurture your soul. 
• Sacred Silence: Intentionally carve out moments of silence in our day. Within this tranquil space, connect with the whispers of our heart and permit our soul to speak. Embrace this inner dialogue with an open heart and gentle kindness. Do nothing. Simply listen.  

Breaking the Cycle of Self-Criticism 

Something I know for certain is that one of the significant hurdles we face when endeavoring the journey of inner compassion is the relentless cycle of self-criticism. Society bombards us with unattainable standards, fostering a constant comparison that chips away at our self-worth. 

The continuous inner scrutiny we face not only stalls our growth but also gradually undermines the core of our self-worth. Intentionally practiced love interrupts this detrimental cycle with an innate pursuit of healing and self-actualization. 

When we cultivate compassion within, we begin to honor our imperfections as an integral part of our human experience. Treating ourselves with the same tenderness we readily offer others becomes the catalyst for personal growth. It allows us to break free from the chains of self-criticism, enabling self-discovery and fostering the path evolution and elevation. 

Here are some ways to practice breaking the cycle of self-criticism: 

• Mind Our Language: Substitute self-criticism with nurturing self-dialogue that uplifts and promotes constructive thinking. Extend the same uplifting support to ourselves as we readily offer to our friends and loved ones. 
• Shift Our Focus: Take a moment to reflect on how we perceive imperfection, particularly our own. Do we cherish the lessons from our mistakes and view them as opportunities for growth and evolution? Or do we carry shame and devalue ourselves due to these imperfections? 
• Grow in Self-Compassion: Approach the tendency to ruminate over past experiences with empathy and compassion. Deliberately surround ourselves with images, fragrances, music, or food that heighten our senses, uplift our souls, and facilitate a connection to our higher selves. 
• Nurture Wellbeing: Prioritize time for ourselves is essential. We achieve this by setting aside moments for meditation, enjoying soothing spiritual baths, engaging in hobbies, spending time in nature, and fostering connections with our loved ones. 
• Forgive: Reflect on any past mistakes or regrets, let's acknowledge them without passing judgment, and consciously practice self-forgiveness. Understand that making mistakes is a part of the human experience, these experiences significantly contribute to our personal growth and development. 
• Practice Loving-Kindness: Actively send well-wishes to ourselves and others by dedicating a few minutes each day to recite phrases such as "May I be safe, may I be happy, may I live with ease." This practice helps cultivate a positive and compassionate mindset for both ourselves and those around us.  

The Ripple Effect of Practiced Love 

Being intentional about rooting ourselves internally in the light of love is a practice that radiates far beyond the individual, A choice of this nature is powerful beyond measure and creates a ripple effect that can resonate across the entire universe. Naturally, the nurturing of our own inner compassion, worthiness, happiness and positivity extends to our communities, tribes, villages, families, and friends. 

In accepting our imperfections with kindness and confronting life's challenges with grace and determination, we naturally evolve into vessels of inspiration. Our role as a loving encourager is crucial in the world today. Being a demonstration of unconditional love and grace influences the larger collective to embrace mindfulness, compassion, kindness, and the highest ideals in their individual lives. 

In this way, practiced love fosters authentic relationships with everyone in our lives, including ourselves. Thus, we become instinctively attuned to the needs and emotions of others in ways that expand our offering of empathy and strengthen connections. We transition from making judgments to fostering understanding in our interactions, thus building stronger and more profound connections. 

Integrating an intentional practice of expanding our love internally and offering it to the world from within requires dedication We can begin by slowly incorporating mindfulness and medication exercises such as deep breathing, chakra cleansing, and body scans. Consistent discipline and dedication naturally guide us toward gradually integrating new habits like journaling, adopting healthier eating habits, engaging in regular walking or exercise, and actively listening to our inner dialogue. 

Guided by inner compassion and mindfulness, the practice of love becomes a robust force that helps counter the challenges of our contemporary world. As we treat ourselves with the same kindness we extend to others, we fortify personal growth and resilience. This way of living extends beyond our individual experiences and influences our relationships, weaving a harmonious web of love that extends to the broader world, connecting across the universe. 

Remember, practicing love is a gift not only to ourselves but also to humanity, and it holds the potential to make a deeply beautiful impact on the collective well-being of our communities, tribes, villages, families, and friends. 

Until next time, embrace peace and love on the Journey Up! 

Ase`! 

Here's Your Daily Journal Prompt: 

Reflect on the moments when self-criticism arises within you. What triggers these thoughts, and how do they manifest? Explore the tone of your self-talk during these instances. Take note of any patterns or recurring themes in your self-critical thoughts. Finally, consider alternative, more compassionate perspectives you could adopt in response to these moments of self-criticism. 

One Last Note:  

Stay tuned. The Path and The Power of Self-Love will be available for purchase January 1, 2024. 

For further inspiration and resources, feel free to explore our Journey Up! Book Club, peruse the shelves of our Journey Up! Library,  immerse yourself in Meditation and Affirmation Videos, or join our Growth Academy, and join our Membership Program (app). You can also join the waitlist for our upcoming Classes and Masterminds.