Welcome. This meditation supports the Stage Five task of seeing others through their humanity. In this task, you are challenged to think of someone you disagree with, and to see if you can why they might think that way, given their current circumstances or their past. The most challenging part of this task is to put aside your defensive mechanisms and see how their life has shaped them and their beliefs, as well as how your life has shaped you and your beliefs. This meditation will support that exploration.
Posture
Take a moment to get comfortable. You can sit or stand or lay down. It’s doesn’t matter. You can close your eyes or keep them open. Do what works for you.
Presence
Take a slow deep breath. Let it out like a sigh of relief. Be at peace. You are here now. Take another slow deep breath, and this time, send it out slowly, consciously, with purpose, all the way. Be at peace. You are here now. Pause and repeat these breaths until you feel relaxed and at peace.
Journey
Let’s begin. Think of someone that you love… a friend or family member… who feels differently than you on some political or other issue. Feel your love for them. Imagine sending them that love and wishing that they have a good day.
Now think about their past. How did they grow up? What were the major events in their lives? What were the challenges? The traumas? The triumphs? Take a moment to imagine their past.
Now think about their current situation. How do they choose to spend their time?
Based on their past, can you see why they might choose to live the way they do now?
Based on their past and their present, can you see why they might believe what they believe? Can you see how those experiences might have led them to think that way?
If feelings of offense, anger or annoyance crop up at the thought of their beliefs, let them come. It’s OK. They are only feelings. Let them come. And let them go. These feeling are an indicator that you are not entirely certain in your beliefs. It’s OK. Later you can review mediations on exploring your principles and beliefs. But for now, this is just an exploration in your mind of someone else. There is no threat here.
Did you find how their life might have shaped their beliefs?
Let’s take a harder challenge. Next, consider someone you know but don’t have any strong feelings about – a coworker, or acquaintance – who disagrees with you on some issue. Examine what you think you know about their past and about their current situation.
Can you see how life experiences might have led them to think this way?
You may not know much about their past, or their present. Can you imagine a past that would have shaped their thoughts? Can you imagine a present situation that might reinforce that?
For a final challenge, consider a public figure that you do not like at all; someone who disagrees with you completely on many things. Perhaps even a leader of the opposing political party.
You may feel closed off, guarded and defensive at even the thought of them. Breathe into that feeling. Note the areas of your body where stress builds. Breathe into those areas. Imagine your breathe clearing out any stress so that you can work effectively. This is about taking care of you.
You probably don’t know much of anything really about their past, how they grew up. But maybe you know a little. Imagine their past. Put yourself in their shoes. In what ways is that life challenging? How would those experiences shape your priorities? Whose love do they crave, ultimately? Whose validation did they never quite get? Are they older? Are they scared? Are they seeking to leave a legacy? What are they afraid of on a deep personal level.
It’s all conjecture, but everyone is afraid of something. If you can see them as afraid, you can see them as human.
Return now to the first two people that you focused on. Can you see how they are just people, on this journey, having experiences, and trying to figure it all out? Can you see YOURSELF, just human, on this journey, having experiences and trying to figure it all out? You are the same in this way. Just human, just tying your best. Sometimes your best is not that good. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t. There are tragedies and triumphs. There are good days and bad. There is fear and love. And there you all are. Walking the same path and somehow on very different journeys. Life changes us all.
They do not have to be wrong for you to be right. They are just opinions. They are just beliefs. And we are all just human. You can see it now… their humanity, and your own. Take a moment to feel that truth.
Return
When you are ready, bring your awareness back to your surroundings. Notice how you feel. Take this exercise with you and return to it anytime you like. Repeat it for as many people as you can think of. Try it with people that agree with you, and those who do not.
