Headspace_logo_svg
MeditationAccessing Love, Even When It’s Difficult

Accessing Love, Even When It’s Difficult

When we’re feeling disappointed or angry, it can sometimes be hard to access compassion. This meditation will help you release the difficult emotions and remember the love you have for your child.

Try 14 days free

Better mental health starts with Headspace. Unrivaled expertise to make life feel a little easier, using guided meditations, mindfulness tips, focus tools, sleep support, and dedicated programs.

Try 14 days free
Better mental health starts with Headspace

Hi, it's Sam. So let's take this moment to find a private space where you can get into a comfortable seated or lying down position. And if you'd like, feel free to close your eyes. And let's just start with a slow, deep breath, feeling your lungs and your abdomen expanding and contracting as you remind yourself that this is time just for you, time to make space for yourself and all of your thoughts and feelings. And see if you can bring to mind a moment when your child was kind, thinking of a time that they said or did something that you found delightful, something that made you smile and feel love for them, maybe a feeling of pride or connection with them. As you bring a moment like this to mind, see how many sensory details you can notice about that moment. Where were you? Can you remember the sound of their voice? Maybe you can even remember the temperature of the place you were in, or who was with you. And see if you can recall sensations in your body. How did the space around your heart feel in that moment? Can you imagine the look on your face or the look on your child's face? Maybe you were both smiling or laughing. And notice any emotions that were present, seeing if you can name a few, like joy or excitement. Maybe you noticed an urge to hug or hold them, or just a feeling of love. Just allowing these emotions and sensations to soak in. Remembering that this too is a vital part of your relationship with your child and how you feel toward them sometimes. Let's take a slow, deep breath in and an even slower breath out, feeling the ground beneath you supporting you. And notice any sense in the air, maybe noticing the temperature of the room you're in. And then when you're ready, just gently opening your eyes. So take a moment to thank yourself for practicing today, and I look forward to practicing again with you soon....

Details

TypeMeditation
Duration4 min

About your teachers

  • A former Buddhist monk, Andy has guided people in meditation and mindfulness for 20 years. In his mission to make these practices accessible to all, he co-created the Headspace app in 2010.

    More about Andy
  • Eve is a mindfulness teacher, overseeing Headspace’s meditation curriculum. She is passionate about sharing meditation to help others feel less stressed and experience more compassion in their lives.

    More about Eve
  • As a meditation teacher, Dora encourages others to live, breathe, and be with the fullness of their experiences. She loves meditation’s power to create community and bring clarity to people’s minds.

    More about Dora
  • Kessonga has been an acupuncturists, therapist, and meditation teacher, working to bring mindfulness to the diverse populations of the world.

    More about Kessonga
  • Rosie Acosta has studied yoga and mindfulness for more than 20 years and taught for over a decade. Rosie’s mission is to help others overcome adversity and experience radical love.

    More about Rosie
Your lifelong guide to better mental health

Your lifelong guide to better mental health

Stress, sleep, and all the challenging emotions — care for your mind with the everyday mental health app that's shown to make a difference.

Try 14 days free
Look After Your Mind

Look after your mind

Proven guided meditations and programs to help you stress less, sleep more soundly, and better navigate life’s challenges

Science Backed

Science-backed

Studies show that using Headspace for 30 days can reduce stress, increase resilience, and improve overall well-being

Explore Content

Explore 1000+ 
expert-led exercises

Access our library of meditations, breathing exercises, and guidance videos for stress, sleep, focus, everyday anxiety , parenting, and more.

Member reviews

Hear from some of our members

Your app brings so much peace and tolerance to our home.

Rachel

UK

Member-Icon-01

Changing my thoughts has allowed me to change my life.

Davide

London

Member-Icon-04

The stress and loneliness courses … taught me how to comfort myself.

Alicia

Canada

Member-Icon-03

Headspace provides me with … a connection to myself, and a disconnection from negative thoughts, feelings, and sensations.

Keri

UK

Member-Icon-02

More to explore

Beginning Meditation

Explore-More-Icon-02

Reframe Stress and Relax

Explore-More-Icon-01

New and Popular

Explore-More-Icon-03

Becoming a Mindful Parent

Explore-More-Icon-04
    • Terms & conditions
    • Privacy policy
    • Consumer Health Data
    • Your privacy choices
      Privacy Choices Icon
    • CA Privacy Notice
  • © 2024 Headspace Inc.
  • Terms & conditions
  • Privacy policy
  • Consumer Health Data
  • Your privacy choices
    Privacy Choices Icon
  • CA Privacy Notice