Loving-kindness and compassion protect us, and protect others as well. The Buddha taught that these qualities spontaneously bring benefit, just like a wish-fulfilling jewel, and that if our minds are filled with aggression and anger, not only will we be unable to help ourselves, we will not be able to help anyone else either. We will not be able to benefit ourselves in this life or in future lives.

Here are few ways in which we can practice loving kindness :

  1. Find Your Seat – Find a comfortable seated posture with your spine lengthened. You can begin by focusing on your breath for a few minutes to help quite the mind.
  2. Focus on Self – To begin, we send loving energy to ourselves by mentally repeating the following phrases:
  • May I be happy and peaceful.
  • May my body be healthy and strong.
  • May I be safe and protected. 
  • May I live with ease and joy.

     3. Someone you Love – Now, think of someone you love very much, and think of                       something you really like about that person. Then repeat the same phrases to                        person. 

  • May you be happy and peaceful.
  • May your body be healthy and strong.
  • May you be safe and protected.
  • May love live with ease and joy.

     4. An Acquaintance – Think of an acquaintance or someone you know but not very                 well. Think of something you appreciate about that person. Repeat the phrases to               that person. 

     5. Hurt/Dislike – Think of someone who has hurt you, or someone who you do not                   particularly like. Think of one positive quality of that person if you can. Then                       repeat the same phrases to that person. 

     6. For all Beings – To end this meditation, you can repeat the same phrases for all                     beings.

It is very helpful to be even-minded and try to be as balanced as we can in our minds and attitude when we go about trying to help the world. We should definitely try to help the world by trying to bring as much wisdom and as many skillful means as we can. We should have all the enthusiasm we can muster to do this, but we should be very open and relaxed in our minds, not so focused on the result. Because when we bring all the effort we can into trying to establish certain forms of benefit, sometimes we will be able to accomplish the result we desire, but sometimes that result will not come about.  

17 responses to “Loving Kindness”

  1. Reblogged this on Therapy Bits and commented:
    A great post lots of good tips here!

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    1. Thank you for the reblog!!

      Liked by 2 people

      1. You’re very welcome xx

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  2. Nice! This practice of kindness—as taught by S.N Goenka, based on Gautama Buddha’s teachings—is called “Mangal maitri” or “Metta”. It is included at the end of every Vipassana Meditation sessions.

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    1. Thank you for sharing this information.

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  3. This is so great! Thank you❤️

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I am glad you liked it Tania.

      Liked by 2 people

    1. Thank you for the like.

      Liked by 1 person

  4. I’ll have to try this I’m usually a fan of silent meditation or flow state working meditation but this seems like it would really bring peace to ones mind. I’ve only studied affirmations as a part of magic I didn’t know they practiced that in eastern philosophies

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  5. I love the positive vibes. May you be blessed🙏💖

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you. Gratitude to all that is.

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  6. Thank you for sharing wisdom. Loving kindness is the the heart of our heavenly Father.
    Jeremiah 9:23-24
    Thus says the LORD, Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches:
    But let him that glories glory in this, that he understands and knows me, that I am the LORD which exercise loving kindness, judgment, and righteousness, in the earth: for in these things I delight, says the LORD.
    His Blessings upon you?
    Ron Bouchard
    http://www.theburningheart.com

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you for he blessings Ron. Loving kindness It is the first of the four sublime states and one of the ten pāramīs of the Theravāda school of Buddhism. The cultivation of benevolence is a popular form of meditation in Buddhism.

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