A Heartful August

This is it, the official beginning of our Heartful August. This month is going to be all about the heart. My own practice will be focused on living in my heart, and I want to share it with you. It'll be all about kindness toward to ourselves, our families, and the world. We'll practice gratitude and acceptance of the present moment just as it is. Every day I'll share a simple practice, insight, or offering that is part of my journey and invite you to try it along with me.

Today, let's start with a simple affirmation/mantra, I fully and completely love and accept myself. Or if and when that feels too hard, we can use the variation, I am open to loving myself just as I am.

Wondering how to use this? I like to use it during my formal meditation. I start with being aware of my body and doing my alignment (more on this soon), then I say the mantra to myself and feel it. I shift into my regular practice (for me, usually this means staying aware of the present moment but it could also be mindfulness of the breath, body, whatever you like). Each time I notice that I've gotten caught in a thought or feeling, I remind myself of the mantra and return to awareness. In regular life, I use the same words when I get caught in stories, judgment, resistance, etc.

Would you like to join me?

---