Loving Kindness Meditation

As we enter into November our minds often turn to Thanksgiving. We know that we need to be; and most of us are thankful throughout the year, but there's something that comes over us during this time. We start to look at things in a more appreciative way. We start to show gratitude for the things we have big and small. Even when things aren't going our way, we are able to take a step back and find the good in what we have and where we are.

A time of reflection and a time to send kind and loving thoughts out into the world.

We need this more then ever.

Below I will share with you a loving-kindness meditation.

Sending good thoughts and energy to yourself and others sounds so easy, but when you start to do it, it can feel awkward and sometimes mechanical. I encourage you to continue anyway. As in any meditation let your feelings and thoughts arise without judgement, and then let them go.

To begin

Sit Comfortably

Silently direct the loving phrases at yourself

Next direct the loving phrases to a neutral person, someone who you see and may have no exchange with or only brief encounters with, but don't have strong feelings for either way. An example would be the person who checks you out at the grocery store or your mailman.

Next direct the loving phrases to a loved one that has taken care of you or who you have taken care of and have a strong bond with

To a "difficult" person, (this can be a loved one) if the first person who comes to mind is very challenging and you have a hard time sending them good will, save them for another time and go with someone who is difficult, but where you don't have as much baggage

Last sending good will to all beings or people

When saying the phrases, draw an image of the person experiencing what you're saying

You can silently say these phrases connecting them with the breath or just on their own in a relaxed way

Spend a few minutes repeating them to each person and moving on when you feel ready

You can do this for as few as a couple minutes or as long as you have time for (15-20 minutes)

Pick phrases that resonate with you.

Happy

Safe

Healthy

Strong

Free

Loved

Pick 4 or 5

Below is an example that you can use of make up your own

May I be filled with loving kindness

May I be happy and loved

May I be full of grace

May I be healthy and strong

May I live with ease

(inserting the name of the person you are directing these thoughts to)

May you be filled with loving-kindness

May you be happy and loved

May you be full of grace

May you be healthy and strong

May you live with ease

May all beings be filled with loving-kindness

May all beings be happy and loved

May all beings be full of grace

May all beings be healthy and strong

May all beings live with ease

Below is one I recorded that you can practice along with me if you like