07.17.2026 The Power of Self-Compassion In our weekly live meditation on Wednesday, our July resident teacher, Ofosu Jones-Quartey, guided us through a grounding practice that invited us to come home to ourselves. Together, we rested in the stability of the earth, the spaciousness of the sky, and offered ourselves kindness. Toward the end of our practice, Ofosu offered the following instruction: “I invite you to take a moment and just check in with yourself,” he said. “Notice how you feel, and imagine what you might say to a dear friend or a loved one who was feeling the same way you’re feeling right now. It might be words of encouragement or love, gratitude, comfort, celebration, or forgiveness.” “You can take a moment and just offer yourself the gift of your own friendship, your own friendliness, your own kindness,” he continued. “If it doesn’t feel easy to do that, that’s okay. Just the willingness is enough.” Many of us can readily offer compassion to others while struggling to offer ourselves the same kindness. As Ofosu put it after the meditation, “It’s often not easy to be a person.” But by being kind to ourselves, we can better show up and be of service in the world.  This Thursday, July 23, Ofosu will continue that exploration in his dharma talk for Lion’s Roar members, “Healing the World Through Self-Compassion” where he'll share practical tools for working with self-criticism, difficult emotions, and the belief that we are somehow not enough — and how that work ultimately contributes to a more compassionate world. Below, you’ll find three teachings on self-compassion that further explore its benefits. May they encourage you to be kind to yourself this weekend. —Lilly Greenblatt, digital editor, Lion’s Roar How to See Yourself with Compassion Looking deeply into your own eyes, you learn to let go of self-judgment and discover your innate beauty. Jo Confino on mirror meditation. Mirrors are ubiquitous, yet we rarely acknowledge their power or the discomfort they can engender. More than merely reflecting our physical form, they also surface deeper psychological patterns. Mirrors evoke three complexes that shape how we perceive ourselves: inferiority, superiority, and equality. The inferiority complex arises when we feel inadequate, habitually comparing ourselves unfavorably to others. The superiority complex, like that of the evil queen, masks insecurity with arrogance or dominance. Even the so-called equality complex can be a subtle trap, as it strives to make us “the same” as others, ignoring the reality that each of us is unique. ADVERTISEMENT A Self-Compassion Meditation to Be Kind to Yourself A three-step contemplation from Kristin Neff to give yourself the compassion you need (and deserve).   Put both hands on your heart, pause, and feel their warmth. You can also put your hand anyplace on your body that feels soothing and comforting, like your belly or face. Breathe deeply in and out. Speak these words to yourself, out loud or silently, in a warm and caring tone. How to Transform Shame into Self-Compassion Author and psychoanalyst, Pilar Jennings, offers advice to a practitioner who continues to feel unworthy and unloved.   Most people who begin a meditation practice understandably hope for relief. Images of a placid Buddha wearing a gentle smile can inspire us to unplug, quiet the mind, and notice our inner life without distraction. But often what we find is a mind filled with painful memories and feelings. For many, these feelings indicate struggles with losses of all sorts, low self-esteem, and a powerful sense of deprivation.