A 12-Minute Meditation to Meet the Body In Pain

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This week, Christiane Wolf offers a guided practice to meet your own body in pain and relieve that sense of isolation by internally connecting with others who understand your experience. Having chronic pain often feels incredibly lonely. You might not know anybody else who has the same condition. In addition, most people you’re close to, even though they might be well-intentioned, might not understand what you’re going through. But the fact is that probably thousands and thousands of people all over the world know exactly what you’re feeling. In this meditation, Christiane Wolf offers a guided practice to meet your own body in pain and relieve that sense of isolation by internally connecting with others who could relate to, have empathy for, and care deeply about your experience. A Meditation to Meet the Body In Pain Read and practice the guided meditation script below, pausing after each paragraph. Or listen to the audio practice. Start by finding a comfortable position, or as comfortable as possible. You can lie down for this meditation or sit in a chair. You can close your eyes or just soften your gaze, whatever feels best to you in this moment. If you’re sitting, place your feet on the ground. Let your back be straight and upright, if that is possible. Allow the body to relax, if that is possible. See if you can release a little more tension with each exhalation. No need to be specific here, just getting a broad sense of what you’re carrying with this pain, with this condition. If it feels right to you, you could say something to yourself like, This is hard. It is so rough to feel this way. Use words that you would find helpful to hear from a dear friend who really gets what you’re going through. If you like, repeat this a few times. See if you can really listen to yourself saying this and meaning these words. It might feel good to hear these words, or maybe you notice yourself moving a little away and having a hard time accepting this. Whatever your experience is, it’s okay. There is no right or wrong way to do this. You might not know anybody else who has the same condition. Most people you’re close to, even though they might be well-intentioned, might not understand what you’re going through. But the fact is that probably thousands and thousands of people all over the world know exactly what you’re feeling. And they might even suffer from the same condition as you do. They’re feeling the same thing or have felt it before. I don’t have to explain or defend anything, because they already understand. Keep practicing this in a way here that makes the most sense to you. Consider what makes it easy or maybe just possible to connect with this idea that there are truly so many people out there who get you, who get this pain. If you notice the mind wandering off, just gently keep bringing it back. Allow this sense of your inner support group. When you’re ready, allow the image to dissolve. Bring the meditation to an end by starting to move and stretch the body in any way that feels good.

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