Last night, sitting with a group of sweet friends, my meditation touched on loving kindness. Since it is almost always a challenge for me to direct loving kindness towards my self, this time I started with the being for which I feel unconditional, uninterrupted love — our canine companion Miranda-the-labradoodle.
Tapping into this easy heart-opening love turned out to be a good entree into a meditation on loving kindness towards my self and then to ever-expanding circles of others.
In Kate Lila Wheeler’s talk via Susan Piver‘s Daily Dharma Gathering she suggested following loving kindness to one’s self with loving kindness towards anything that opens our heart, even a plant… or the planet.
My dear friend Jill reminded me of another encouraging message from this talk. Kate said that, even if I’m not feeling particularly loving and kind, at every moment there are meditators out in the world sending loving kindness to all beings, including me. Perhaps I am receiving loving kindness on some level at all times. Perhaps there are practices that would help me to more consciously and gratefully receive it.
Thanks to a comment from my wonderful friend, Emilia… here’s more on the meditation practice of loving kindness.
Em suggests the chapter on loving kindness and compassion in Phillip Moffitt’s book, “From Emotional Chaos to Clarity: Move from the Chaos of the Reactive Mind to the Clarity of the Responsive Mind.”
Specifically, he describes (at pp. 127-128) certain phrases he developed for a loving kindness meditation, and suggests that you repeat them first for yourself, then for your loved ones and friends, then for teachers, strangers, and enemies, and finally for all sentient beings:
“May I be safe from internal and external harm.
May I have a calm, clear mind and a peaceful, loving heart.
May I be physically strong, healthy, and vital.
May I experience love, joy, wonder, and wisdom in this life, just as it is.”
Nice, yes?
Love & Light,
Valerie
Lovely. Thank you dearest Valerie.
You are very welcome, lovely Luanne.
By the way, my voice is returning… thanks to singing lessons with my mom. Very happy!
Love & Light,
Valerie
Valerie,
I’m so happy to hear this. Having a voice is such a gift.
Celebrating that yours is back.
A big smile,
Luanne
🙂
Valerie, thank you so much for the warm, wise words you always send. these affirmations are simple and clear.
i recently introduced two FA friends to your writing. Thank you
Thank you so much, Anne. I love that we share a fellowship. We don’t get to see each other often, but when we do it is such a pleasure!
Love & Light,
Valerie
Hi Valerie –
Moffitt said he developed these phrases in collaboration with inmates in a prison meditation program; they represent benefits they could imagine in their circumstances, so we are free to make up our own. But I find these pretty powerful.
I love the idea that people all over the world – even prisoners! – are sending these thoughts of loving-kindness my way.
And by the way, have I mentioned lately how much I love your house?!
Hi Em,
I love this idea, too, that even prisoners are sending thoughts of loving kindness our way.
Ha! Thanks for you compliment!
Love & Light,
Valerie
Hi Valerie ~
Thanks so much for posting this. It reminds me of all that I learned about unconditional love from my beloved Pearly Girl. Our four legged canine companions carry this medicine and are powerful teachers in helping us to connect with the love that is present in every moment.
With love 🙂
Melinda
Oh, yes, Melinda! You know whereof I speak. Great healing powers in our animal companions.
Love you.
Valerie
Thank you Valerie! Beautiful photo of you and Miranda, beautiful words of wisdom you share with us, and we are grateful. We just returned from travels in India where amidst the trash and the treasures and the poverty, we witnessed a deeply spiritual people living their lives in dignity, ritual, love. Returning home, we do our morning meditation as do you – sending loving kindness to all beings. We love you! Ginny and John
Dear Ginny and John,
What a deep and rich life you lead!
I’m inspired by your curiosity and courage.
Thank you for sharing your loving kindness with our world.
Love & Light,
Valerie
This was really helpful! You and Miranda are so beautiful! Today, may I be safe from internal and external harm.
Love,
Jillian
Thank you, Jillian!
Me, too. Today, may I be safe from internal and external harm.
Love & Light,
Valerie