Kindness is a Bridge
Beautiful, simple and powerful, lovingkindness practices shift perspective during times of struggle, decrease fear and anxiety, cast light where there is shadow, transfigure scarcity into abundance and offer a direct bridge to the wellspring of love that resides in the heart. Lovingkindness, woven into many traditions and practices, is a luminous love, a connectedness to all things.
Introduce yourself to lovingkindness through the meditation below, offering it firstly to yourself and then to all beings. By addressing our own lifeline first, we tap into our heart's reserve of lovingkindness, offering the opportunity to shift our perspective in an increasingly positive direction, allowing us to see the good in all things. With lovingkindness, instruction given on airplanes provides helpful advice, "apply your oxygen mask first". By applying lovingkindness to the self first, we empower ourselves and purify our bodies and minds. Then, we may assist others with pure intentions and a truly kind heart.
I crafted this lovingkindness invocation based on my experiences, desires and struggles and use it twice daily, in the morning and evening, to bolster my capacity to love. Listen here for a 20 minute guided lovingkindness meditation that includes centering and is suited for both beginner and experienced meditators. Here, a 5 minute recitation of the prayer below is offered. You can use it when you are short on time, are practiced in centering yourself quickly or you may couple it with other practices. Please share in the comments below how these lovingkindness practices build bridges in your life.
Lovingkindness Meditation:
♥ May I be happy.
May I realize abundance and fulfillment in all areas of my life.
May I be safe and unburdened of fear, anger, guilt, sorrow and shame.
May I be free.
May I have a heart that is courageous.
May I have a mind that is at ease.
May I express myself fully and creatively.
May I trust my authentic voice and truly believe I am enough, just as I am.
May I treat myself with compassion, honor myself with grace and love myself completely.
May I be at peace.
♥ May all beings be happy.
May all beings realize abundance and fulfillment in all areas of their lives.
May all beings be safe and unburdened of fear, anger, guilt, sorrow and shame.
May all beings be free.
May all beings have hearts that are courageous.
May all beings have minds that are at ease.
May all beings express themselves fully and creatively.
May all beings trust their authentic voices and truly believe they are enough, just as they are.
May all beings treat themselves with compassion, honor themselves with grace and love themselves completely.
May all beings be at peace. ♥