Week One - Task #02. “Work Within”

[Prof. Sindor Aloyarc]

Once awareness is established, the practice begins in what is often the most challenging places. The self.

Muggle loving-kindness practice traditionally starts by directing phrases of goodwill inward. These are often simply wishing for safety, peace, or well-being. The exact wording matters less than the intention behind it.

For many, this step can feel unfamiliar, or even a bit uncomfortable. Directing kindness toward oneself is not always something we’ve practiced before, and it can take time to feel natural.

You might offer yourself a simple phrase such as:
May I be safe.
May I be well.
May I live with ease.
May I be at peace.

It is not necessary to fully believe these words for them to have value. In this context, the repetition itself is part of the practice. The work is in the offering, not in achieving a particular emotional result.

If it feels neutral, resistant, or meaningful, that’s fine. It’s all part of the practice.

Task:
For this task, you are invited to begin forming your own Practice in loving-kindness. Write a short set of 3–5 phrases directed toward yourself, beginning with “May I…” You are welcome to draw from the examples above, or adapt something that feels more natural in your own voice. Then, expand on your phrases by writing about what each one represents. Why did you choose it? What does it reflect about what you need or value right now? Your full response should be at least 100 words.

Alternatively, you may submit a self-directed Letter below by sharing 100 words or more for full credit. Write a short note to yourself as you are right now. It does not need to offer solutions or advice. It can simply be an expression of care, patience, or understanding.

10 beans/sapphires are available for this task, with an extra 20 for completing all Week One tasks by end of activity. Deadline is 11:59pm (HOL time) on Thursday May 14th.

[River Fenwick]

River,
It’s okay to relax, to take a moment to settle down and just breathe. You don’t have to know everything right now, and the world isn’t going to come crashing down if you don’t have a perfect plan in advance. Plans change as situations evolve, and you don’t need to try to account for them in advance. You don’t need to rush into things; you can let others come up with solutions. Take it one step at a time and know that it’s not solely up to you to fix everything. Be patient with yourself and try to live more in the now than in the what-ifs of the future.
-You

[Janne Halla]

May I be safe.
May I be calm.
May I have patience.
May I feel supported.
May I be at peace.

These phrases are simple, but they show what I need right now. 'May I be safe' means I want to feel protected in my daily life and in the choices I make. I want to feel stable and not worried about things going wrong.

'May I be calm' is important because I can get stressed when there’s a lot to do. I want to slow down in my mind and not feel too rushed.

'May I have patience' reminds me to take my time. I don’t want to react too quickly when things feel hard or busy.

'May I feel supported' means I don’t want to feel like I have to do everything alone. It’s good to know that help is there, even if I don’t always notice it.

'May I be at peace' is about feeling quiet and steady inside, even when life is full of tasks.