I created this as part of an intention-setting for the beautiful Las Mujeres Tango Marathon organized by Blair Kaufer and Shelley Goldstein. I’m grateful they invited me to offer it and have heard from many people who were there that it made a big difference in the way they experienced the weekend. I hope you find it valuable.
start by bringing your awareness to your heart
take a breath and imagine sending it to your heart
feel the sensations you are feeling in your body
now visualize someone you feel very tender feelings toward - a little baby or child, or a small animal friend, or someone you just love very much
let the image of their face call up the feelings of tenderness and affection
as you imagine their sweet face and sweet qualities, offer them warm wishes of loving kindness
may you feel safe - may you feel happy - may you feel healthy - may you live with ease
now let go of your image of this loved one and focus on the warm, affectionate, tender feelings in your heart
now imagine yourself happy
really seeing happiness in your face, in your body
gently connect with your good qualities and intentions
appreciating the complexity of tango, of marathons, of life
especially here in the midst of an adventure together
and sending loving empathy to yourself
and send yourself these wishes
may i feel safe - may i feel happy - may i feel healthy - may i live with ease
the words really don’t matter as much as the sensations they evoke
the idea is to genuinely feel tenderness toward your own self
just the way you would a loved one of sweet friend
think of a friend -- someone in this room you have loving feelings toward
someone you’re happy is here
someone you may see frequently - or only occasionally
who brings some uncomplicated joy into your life
spread this warmth to them, imagining them being happy
may you feel safe - may you feel happy - may you feel healthy - may you live with ease
as you let that image dissolve
now call to mind a tango acquaintance
someone you see around but don’t know that well
someone you have neutral feelings toward
and likewise imagine them feeling great - happy and joyful
may you feel happy - may you feel healthy - may you be safe - may you live with ease
is there someone at this event, or in your tango life that you have a little bit of difficulty with?
someone where the relationship is a little raw or there is some small discomfort when you see them? some unfinished business, some learning edge? if you feel comfortable as you do this, gently imagine them sincerely happy, and send them wishes of lovingkindness.
may we both be safe - may we both be happy - may we both be healthy - may we both live with ease
now widen and expand your heart-feeling to all the people who love tango
at milongas
in airports
on facebook
all the leads and the follows
all the women and the men
everyone of every sexuality
of all ages
all the argentines and non-argentines
all who travel and all who don’t
asleep and awake right in this moment
all those who learn and embrace in different ways
past, present and future
may we all be safe - may we all be happy - may we all be healthy - may we all live with ease
and even beyond tango, including all those we’re connected with
the families of all tango dancers
all the friends, all the acquaintances, all the yet-to-be acquaintances
every person of every background, ancestry
every way of loving and being
and all creatures
and even our gentle kind sweet benevolent earth
may we all be well
may we all be safe, happy, joyful
may we all live, learn, and dance with ease
taking in all that good feeling that you have generated
letting it just sink into your being like a balm
letting that warmth pervade your whole body
in a moment we’ll open our eyes and when we do you’re invited to find the eyes of someone and silently send them a wish of lovingkindness through your gaze
as you stay connected with the sensations inside
so go ahead and open your eyes
Originally presented at the Las Mujeres Tango Marathon, July 2018