Open Hands Gesture
Materials Needed
Feeling
Dismissive
How to Do It
Sit quietly and place your hands palms-up on your lap. Focus on keeping your hands open and relaxed. As you do this, mentally repeat the phrase, 'I am open to new ideas and perspectives.' Imagine the open hands as a symbol of your willingness to receive and consider the thoughts and feelings of others. Hold this posture for several minutes, breathing deeply and allowing yourself to soften any feelings of dismissiveness.
Why It Works
The physical act of keeping your hands open can help reinforce a mindset of openness and receptivity, counteracting the closed-off nature of dismissiveness.
Guided Practice
Find a quiet place where you can sit comfortably, allowing your hands to rest naturally on your lap. Close your eyes gently or lower your gaze. Begin to notice the sensation in your hands and fingers, perhaps feeling the softness of your palms or the coolness of the air against your skin. Allow yourself to be present with these sensations, without any need to judge or change them.
Place your hands on your knees with your palms facing up, in an open, receptive gesture. Feel the openness of this posture, a symbol of your willingness to receive whatever the present moment has to offer.
As you breathe deeply, imagine that with each inhale, you are drawing in positive energy, and with each exhale, you are releasing any tension or resistance. Feel the sensations in your palms — perhaps a tingling, a warmth, or a sense of openness. Stay with these sensations, allowing the gesture of open hands to symbolize your readiness to accept and embrace whatever comes your way. Visualize your palms as channels, receiving positive energy, light, or even messages from the universe. Feel this energy flowing into your hands and up through your arms, spreading throughout your body and filling you with a sense of openness and readiness.
Consider how this gesture of open hands reflects a state of mind that is open to new experiences, insights, and emotions. Feel how this openness might bring a sense of peace, curiosity, or even excitement about what is to come. Notice if any feelings, thoughts, or images arise — perhaps a sense of acceptance, a feeling of being ready to receive, or even a memory of a time when you felt open and free. Allow these experiences to deepen your practice, connecting you more fully to the spirit of openness and acceptance.
When you feel ready, gently close your hands into a soft, relaxed position, taking a few more deep breaths to ground yourself in the present moment. Notice how your body feels now — perhaps more open, more receptive, or simply more at ease. Gently open your eyes, carrying this sense of openness and acceptance with you into your day, feeling more willing to embrace whatever life brings.