non-judgment & Describing Application
Chapter Four
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success they had in raising awareness about contaminants in the water. Blake thinks about who she was at the start of the project, and how much she has learned in a short time. She’s proud of how often she kept up with meditation, how she adapted to obstacles, and how her mindfulness practice has grown.
She feels the wind on her skin and hears the children laughing and splashing each other. She feels the soft dirt on the sides of her feet and smells the earthy aroma of the river’s sediment. The burning sun sets in purples, yellows, greens, and reds over the reflective tide of the Ganges. The gentle drift of the water’s current makes syncopated splashes on the shore. Calmly, but with purpose, Blake recites her favorite self-compassion meditation, a simple four sentence mantra that you say out loud. First, she thinks of Yamini and says:
May you be filled with loving kindness.
May you be healthy and well.
May you be peaceful and at ease.
May you be happy.
Then she says the same thing to Mahant in her mind. She imagines Mahant and Yamini standing before her, wishing her love, health, peace, and joy. It makes her feel warm and loved to imagine those she loves so much saying such affirming verses to her. She channels that energy and repeats each phrase to herself. Blake takes a deep breath between each verse and smiles because practicing self-compassion fills her with feelings of empowerment, self-love, confidence, and comfort. Finally, with all of India in her mind’s eye, she takes her time repeating to the world:
May we all be filled with loving kindness.
May we all be healthy and well.
May we all be peaceful and at ease.
May we all be happy.
An enriching stillness fills the space in Blake’s heart. As she opens her eyes and takes in the beauty and strength of the Ganges River, she allows herself a conclusive, renewing breath that she exhales slowly, energizing and preparing her for the adventure ahead in Laksar.