SOOTHE Group
Supporting Ourselves and Others Through Healing and Empowerment
Week 8.4
Estimated time to complete 8.4: 20-25 mins
Introduction to how compassion can heal the wounds of shame
Let's explore how the qualities of compassion - in particular, courage - can help us in healing the wounds of shame. In fact, when we begin to accept our vulnerabilities or parts of our self, the intensity of shame reduces, which allows us to reach out and reconnect with others.
Addressing any FBRs to working with shame
To begin the journey to healing the wounds of shame, it's important to first address any fears, blocks and resistances to working with this emotion.
Take some time to reflect on the following questions below.
Reflect...
1. What would be the most frightening thing if you were to soften down around feelings of shame or inferiority?
2. Without thinking too much about what your shame is about, what might be frightening or overwhelming about letting go and giving up your feelings of shame?
Enter your responses in your Reflective Journal and paste them below if you'd like your facilitators to see.
Upon reflection, you might have found that many of these FBRs are linked to the Self-Critic, or feeling frightened and overwhelmed about engaging with shameful memories.
Many people might feel this way and we can work in small incremental steps when facing difficult emotions, like shame.
The work should feel challenging, not overwhelming, so we can take it in small, manageable "chunks."
Working through the difficult emotion of shame, at your own pace, is what's most important.
Below, you might like to also take some time to reflect on the emotion of guilt.
Reflect...
Would you be afraid of giving up your sense of guilt? Why?
Enter your response in your Reflective Journal and paste it below if you'd like your facilitators to see.
Shame is an emotion which can make us feel disconnected and separate from others. Here, in this practice, we will try to reconnect with our common human experiences of shame and compassion, as well as share our compassion by connecting with other members of the SOOTHE group.
This practice will also help prepare our bodies and minds by building strength, courage, and wisdom. It supports us in embodying our Compassionate Self ahead of next week’s live group session, where we will reflect on a time we felt shame and explore how our Compassionate Self can guide and support us through a challenging experience.
Practice healing the wounds of shame
After listening to this practice, take a few moments to notice and reflect on any thoughts, feelings, or emotions that arise.
You may also find it helpful to listen to the practice again before the next live group session, to reconnect with a sense of strength, courage, and wisdom. This can help you feel more grounded before taking part in next week's group exercise.
Remember, facing difficult emotions is best done in small, manageable steps. Engaging with this practice is one of those important steps.
Great work, you've come to the end of Week 8 self-guided materials - the last self-guided week!
You can come back to these materials at any time throughout the program. You can also find all the handouts and recordings for Week 8 under the Resources tab.
Your group facilitators looks forward to seeing you in Week 9 for the fifth online group session.
May I meet this challenging moment with kindness, remembering that I am human, I am learning, and I am worthy of care.