“Having compassion starts and ends with having compassion for all those unwanted parts of ourselves.”
— Pema Chödrön
ResourcesMeditations
Whole Body Breathing
This meditation is a way of breathing with the whole body that cultivates more mindful presence, which can invite greater ease, spaciousness and choice.
Finding an Inner Resource Meditation
This meditation draws on a place — real or imagined, where you feel safe. Moving beyond the conceptual to cultivate a felt sense of ease, relaxation & wellbeing. A place that you can return to again & again.
RAIN Practice
This is a meditation of self-compassion for difficult feelings/experiences, using the acronym of RAIN, a process of mindful awareness that includes:
Recognition
Allowing
Investigation/Inquiry
Nurturing
It is inspired by the work of Tara Brach.
San Francisco 24-hour Crisis Line: Telephone 415/781 - 0500, Text 415/200 - 2920
Marin County Suicide Prevention Hotline: 415/499 - 1100
Meditation/Mindfulness Practice
Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Teachings & Meditation – classes, day-long & longer retreats- on-line & on-land
East Bay Meditation Center (EBMC) has donation-based classes
Dharma talks on Buddhist teachings
Insight Timer App:
insighttimer.com
A free meditation application that offers guided meditations/ practices for beginning and experienced meditators alike. There are many choices and you can "search" for specific length of time or practice (e.g., "sleep").
Books
Compassion
Radical Acceptance: Embracing Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha, by Tara Brach
Radical Compassion: Learning to Love Yourself and Your World with the Practice of RAIN, by Tara Brach
The Mindful Path to Self-Compassion, by Christopher Germer
The Mindful Self-Compassion Workbook: A Proven Way to Accept Yourself, Build Inner Strength and Thrive, by Kristin Neff & Christopher Germer
Fierce Self-Compassion: How Women Can Harness Kindness to Speak Up, Claim Their Power and Thrive, by Kristin Neff
The Body is Not an Apology: The Power of Radical Self Love, by Sonya Renee Taylor
Grief & Aging
The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief, by Francis Weller
The Inner Work of Age: From Role to Soul, by Connie Zweig, PhD
Setting Boundaries
Set Boundaries, Find Peace: A Guide to Reclaiming Yourself, by Nedra Glover Tawwab
“Arrive curious, without the armour of certainty, the plans and planned results of the life you've imagined. Live the life that chooses you, new every breath, every blink of your astonished eye.”
— Rebecca del Rio