One of the best ways to heal from burnout is to spend time with members of your circle of love: these are selected friends, family members, and others whom you love, trust, and honor for their integrity, morals, and ideals. Very few of us are actually blessed with this kind of authentic community. Not to worry, say Sufi teachers. You can always use your imagination to create an extraordinary inner circle of love in your inner landscape, and bask in the love and affection they hold for you. Here are the steps:
1. Close your eyes and enter into a state of silence. After some time, allow yourself to drift into your sacred sanctuary. The place could be indoors or outdoors. Remember, it is a place of infinite possibilities.
2. From that place, summon your inner circle of love, comprising loved ones living or deceased, prophets and saints, historical figures, animals, trees-anyone or anything your heart yearns to invite. The only limitation is your belief system.
3. Remember that it is in the nature of these members to love you. They shower you with love and light. Some or all of them come up to you and hold you tenderly. Allow yourself to be cherished, nurtured, and nourished. Surrender into the love and compassion they hold for you. Spend some time here.
4. When it is time to come into awareness, say good-bye to each member of your circle. Receive their thanks and blessings, and come into awareness.
Walking This Practice into the World
Make it a daily practice to go into your sacred sanctuary and bask in the love of your inner circle. You will experience an abiding sense of inner peace, joy, and hope that will refresh and strengthen you as you return to the demands of the visible world.
