Honoring Your Grief: A Bonus Meditation (created for Grief and Light podcast)

This week's mini meditation is a bonus episode. If you have been following for awhile, you know that like many of you, I have experienced grief. Profound, life-changing grief. So when Nina Rodriguez, host of the Grief and Light podcast, reached out and asked if I would create a meditation for her listeners, I was honored.

Nina and I decided the best way to share this resource with as many people as possible, was to release it on both of our podcasts in a coordinated effort. While this meditation was created with Nina's listeners in mind, we are well aware that grief is something we all in common.

If you are experiencing grief, I encourage you to check out the Grief and Light podcast and the amazing work Nina is doing. 

Grief and Light Podcast

Grief Tending Toolkit

@griefandlight

For more information about Hannah Castillo and her meditation practice, visit the website and blog at https://www.love-your-calm.com

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Transcript

Hannah Castillo: Welcome to the Love Your Calm Podcast. Mini Meditations to help you slow down and find your balance in this fast-paced world. 

Hello and welcome.

If you've been following for a while, then you know like many of you, I've experienced grief. Profound life-changing grief. And I know firsthand there's no checklist for grief. There's no one path you follow. Grief is personal and everyone grieves in their own way.

Nina Rodriguez, host of the Grief in Life podcast, has lived it. She knows what it's like to experience a devastating loss, and when she found that the support she needed wasn't as available as she hoped, she created an entire community to provide it for others. So when Nina reached out and asked me to write a meditation to share with her listeners,

I was honored and so happy to offer another resource. This special bonus meditation encourages you to meet yourself where you are with self-compassion, to accept that everyone grieves differently and at their own pace, and to acknowledge whatever that looks like for you.

Let's get started.

Begin by finding a comfortable position. This can be any position that feels good for you today. You can be seated, feet flat on the floor, sitting cross-legged, or even lying down if that feels better for you. If it feels safe for you, consider closing your eyes. Or maybe lower your gaze if that feels better for you today.

As your breath begins to settle into its natural rhythm, I invite you to bring your awareness to the present moment. With each inhale, invite in a sense of acceptance. With each exhale, start to let go of any judgments or expectations you may be holding. Maybe loosen your hold on any shoulds or preconceived notions you may be experiencing about grief. Beginning to open yourself up to the possibility that your experience is unique and completely yours.

Take a moment here to acknowledge any feelings that come up for you. Understand that grieving is a deeply personal journey. Give yourself permission to feel whatever emotions arise, maybe sadness, anger, confusion, or even peace.

There's no right or wrong way to grieve. Any feelings you're experiencing are valid and all of these feelings are okay. Visualize breathing in compassion for yourself. Maybe imagine this compassion wrapping around you like a warm blanket, offering the comfort and understanding you need. On your next exhale, let go of any pressure to move on or to feel differently. Release any idea that you must conform to specific timelines or expectations. 

As you continue to breathe naturally here, maybe take this opportunity to affirm to yourself "it is okay to feel I'm feeling right now." And on your next exhale, gently release any lingering guilt or shame associated with your grief. Give yourself the space to honor your journey at your own pace.

Take one final round of breath here on your own, recognizing your grief as a part of your story, a part that deserves the acceptance and self-compassion you've cultivated today.

And when you are ready, gently bring your awareness back to the space around you. Take any movements you may need and when it feels comfortable for you, gently open your eyes. Carry this sense of compassion with you as you return to your day, recognizing that you can return to this practice whenever you may need it.

Thank you for joining me today. My name is Hannah and it means so much to me that you've chosen to join me for this special meditation. If you found this practice helpful, be sure and share it with a friend who may also find it beneficial. Don't forget to hit, subscribe or follow wherever you are listening.

And once again, a big thank you to Nina Rodriguez for requesting this episode and sharing it with her community.

If you haven't listened to the Grief and Light podcast, here's your invitation to check it out. You can find a link in the show notes 

And as always, thank you for helping me spread the word. Including a few minutes of meditation in your day really can make a difference.

Until next week...