Have you desired to find inner freedom and joy in an often chaotic and overwhelming world? Or wondered how to stay connected to your inner peace or your soul’s purpose amidst life’s challenges? Sometimes, it’s as simple as practicing self-compassion. And yes, it is simple, but not always easy.
Defining Compassion
Compassion, an inherent quality all humans possess, is both a skill and a perspective that can be cultivated and strengthened to improve the well-being of individuals, communities, and society as a whole. Compassion emerges when you consciously choose acceptance over judgment.
By applying these skills daily, you enhance your ability to live compassionately. This practice, in turn, helps you relate better to yourself and others while also building resilience.
Opening your heart to others allows you to adapt to changing and challenging circumstances, helping you thrive. However, just like any seed, compassion requires nurturing. It must be cultivated; otherwise, societal forces may hinder it from taking root and growing strong.
Compassion emerges from the following three-part process:
- Awareness of distress in yourself and others
- Emotional resonance with that distress
- Desire to take action to help alleviate the distress
When people think of compassion, they often equate it with empathy. While empathy plays a role, it typically remains at a more passive level and does not progress to taking action. The true essence of compassion lies in this action component. Actions can vary widely; they may be significant, such as volunteering overseas, or they can be small gestures, like mentally sending positive wishes for peace and joy to someone who is struggling.
Everyone faces difficult or stressful situations at one time or another. In these challenging moments, it may be difficult to contemplate expressing compassion. However, choosing to lean into compassion—for yourself and others—creates a foundation for inner peace, contentment, and joy.
Self-Compassion Leads to Inner Freedom
Developing a daily compassion practice is essential to being your best self. However, many people mistakenly believe that self-compassion is selfish.
In reality, self-compassion allows you to love and appreciate yourself for who you are. This inner acceptance empowers you to lead a fulfilling life. In fact, self-compassion is essential for finding true happiness.
Self-compassion is about being fully authentic and embracing your true nature. It’s about recognizing that you are worthy of love and kindness, just as you are. When you practice self-compassion, you are honoring your own humanity and allowing yourself to be fully present in each moment.
This inner acceptance is the foundation for inner freedom. When you are free from self-judgment and criticism, you can express yourself authentically and pursue your passions without fear. You are also more likely to be compassionate toward others, creating a ripple effect of kindness and understanding.
Learn more about this topic in my interview with Christine Schickinger.
How to Cultivate Self-Compassion
Self-compassion can be cultivated in many ways. One simple practice is to intentionally offer yourself kind words and gestures, just as you would to a dear friend.
You can also meditate on compassion, visualizing yourself sending loving-kindness to yourself and others.
So what if you’re not yet in the habit of being self-compassionate? You’re in luck! Researchers are realizing that people’s brains are neuroplastic no matter their age, and exposing yourself to new ideas and new ways of thinking can create change.
Prioritizing your emotional well-being is a choice. It takes time to rewire subconscious patterns.
Another powerful practice is to be mindful of your thoughts and feelings without judgment. When you notice yourself being critical or self-judgmental, simply acknowledge those thoughts and feelings without getting carried away.
Remember, self-compassion is not a luxury; it’s a necessity. It’s the foundation for a happy, fulfilling, and meaningful life.
Here’s a functional tool you can use at any time. First, think of something you have on your list of things to do today. It could be big, it could be small; just bring something to mind. Then, bring yourself into the present moment by taking a few deep and slow breaths. Now, ask yourself, Do I want to do (whatever it is you have in mind?)
If the answer is no, ask yourself, Do I need to do it? Sometimes, the answer is yes; that is the nature of life. You have to do things you don’t want to do occasionally. If the answer is no, ask yourself, Would I serve myself best (be self-compassionate) if I don’t do this? Often, you’ll find the answer is yes.
For example, one of the ways I’m getting fit for an upcoming spiritual tour is by going on a local hike. I love to hike, but I also love to stay home. On a Friday night, I laid out my hiking clothes so I could roll out of bed and go first thing on Saturday. On Saturday morning, after a restless sleep, I felt like an achy slug. So I asked myself, Do I want to do this hike today? No. Do I need to do it? Eventually, yes. Would I serve myself best if I don’t go today? Yes.
I felt good about my decision to honor my body and stay home. I got some things done around the house and on the computer that I planned to do on Sunday and later the next week. Then, when I woke up Sunday, I thought, Hey, today I want to go for that hike! So I did, and it felt great.
Admittedly, this is a small example, but I hope you see my point. One of the first steps to finding freedom from the inside out is asking yourself what you want to do and then honoring your answer to the best of your ability.
Living a Life of Inner Freedom and Joy
Ultimately, do your best to live an empowered life. You may encounter resistance in the process, and that’s okay. Daily, continue to ask yourself what you want and why you want it. You have the potential to live a life filled with compassion. Living a life full of joy and purpose happens when you’re free from the inside out.
This freedom comes from knowing what feeds your soul, taking care of yourself, and serving others after you’ve taken care of yourself. Know you are enough, and be willing to grow and become even better. This idea will transform your life, filling you with joy and purpose.
Ready to unlock your inner freedom and connect with compassion, joy, and purpose? The BodyMind IntelliSense and Compassion Cultivation Training programs offer practical tools and techniques to help you reduce stress, enhance emotional well-being, discover your authentic self, and cultivate a deeper sense of compassion for yourself and others. Take the first step towards a more fulfilling life and join an upcoming program! Or, if you’re a travel bug, like I am, join me on a Spiritual Tour where we’ll talk about many of these concepts while exploring new cultures and landscapes.
