How to practise loving-kindness
I read a lovely post on practising loving-kindness meditation in the Huffington Post last week. A practice, author of the post, Marguerite Manteau-Rao “routinely calls upon when the emotions get to be too much…my secret weapon of choice, for all the times when life gets a bit rough”.
She adds that there is also good scientific evidence for why loving kindness works.
Our emotions are shaped by our thoughts. If we retrain ourselves to substitute lovingly kind thoughts for our usual messages of self-hatred, over time, it is to be expected that our overall well-being will increase.
If you are interested in learning more about how to practise this simple but effective form of meditation, there are many resources out there. One of the best books I have read on the subject is “A Path With Heart” by Jack Kornfield.
Kornfield writes that once you have mastered the practice:
you can learn to practice it anywhere. You can use this meditation in traffic jams, in buses and airplanes, in doctors’ waiting rooms, in a thousand other circumstances. As you silently practice this loving-kindness meditation among people, you will immediately feel a wonderful connection with them — the power of loving-kindness. It will calm your life and keep you connected to your heart.
Finally, as I write this, I leave you with my own heart-felt loving-kindness wish for you today and all your days
May you be well, may you be happy, may you be at peace, may you live joyfully and with ease.
(Click here to read Jack Kornfield’s instructions on practising loving-kindness)
Well you’ve convinced me to give it a try!
LikeLike
Much ado about kindness, or it absence in these difficult days.
What makes us happy? Kindness does. Being kind always makes us feel better. To be kind is the greatest measure of human happiness.
Yet today many of us are surprised by this. Why? We have walled ourselves off from our inner kindness. Why are there only fleeting moments of kindness? Why isn’t kindness practiced more often? Why be kind? Why should we care about each other? Kindness is too often seen as a sign of weakness, or self-serving hypocrisy, a virtue of losers. What is it in ourselves that resists our own kindness and the kindness of others? Why are we ever unkind? How have so many forgotten kindness and its pleasures? Yet nothing upsets us more than the unkindness of others toward us, and scapegoats are made responsible for our unhappiness. In losing our kindness, we lose ourselves. Are we to be sentenced to live a life robbed of one of our greatest sources of human happiness? Kindness. What is to be done?
Practice loving kindness! So simple! Yet incredibly powerful!
My loving-kindness wish for everyone today and always…
“Deep Peace of the running wave to you
Deep Peace of the flowing air to you
Deep Peace of the quiet earth to you
Deep Peace of the shining stars to you
Deep Peace of the gentle night to you
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you
Deep Peace to you” – a Gaelic Blessing
LikeLike
Your post today and Denis’ comment has simply moved me to tears – very beautiful – thank you both.
LikeLike
Beatufiful
LikeLike
Thanks for the post Marie and for the loving-kindness wishes.
And I love the addition Dennis made in his comments, especially the Gaelic Blessing. I will be writing that one down and saying it often.
Love to you, Deb
LikeLike
Mmmh! Me too Debbie..agree with all you say!
LikeLike
Since reading this post I have been practising lovingkindness daily and it has become a transformative experience. Thank you for opening the door for me.
LikeLike
I am very inspired to try this practise – I will let you know how I get on with it 🙂
LikeLike
Beautiful!
LikeLike