Compassion for others is often easier to practice than compassion for ourselves. However, compassion is a two-way street. If we do not practice compassion for ourselves, we often become cranky, irritated, and short-sighted with others. When we practice compassion with ourselves, then we have a full heart to overflow to others.
In the story of the Wizard of Oz, Dorothy finds herself in need of compassion. No one is listening to her fear of Toto being taken away. She feels alone and abandoned, deciding to run away in order to save Toto. Riddled with conflicting feelings, she encounters a variety of characters along the way who unknowingly help her home. Whether meeting the well-intended Wizard who used guilt for leaving poor sick Aunt Em, being hit on the head by a window during the storm or killing the witch, the Universe has a way of creating opportunities to embrace the changes needed in our life. Intertwining with this chaos and change exists the essential desire to experience compassion for ourselves.
In this workshop, we will use guided imagery, journaling, and a paper finger labyrinth to track the areas of our life that need a compassionate reboot to help us move down our own yellow brick road and find our way home.