Loving-Kindness Affirmation Exercise
When we think of practicing mindfulness in our daily lives, a number of concepts and topics usually come to mind. We think about being present in this very moment. We might reflect on the importance of practicing compassion for others. Or, the notion of mindfulness might call to mind various meditative practices, spiritual leaders, or cultural traditions.
Rarely, though, do we think of the concept of love. In our modern world, the idea of love is usually interpreted in its romantic sense. It’s sometimes associated with lust for another person, or for a deep appreciation for a particular person, thing, place, or experience. However, love can be much more than this.
Practicing Loving-Kindness
If you’ve ever encountered a book, article, or mindfulness talk related to Buddhism, you may have already been exposed to the idea of loving-kindness. The idea is simple to state. When we talk about loving-kindness affirmation, we’re referring not to the kinds of love mentioned above, but rather to a love without end: one which all beings deserve, regardless of who they are, what they’ve done, or what they’ve been through. This is the love of a Bodhisattva: a kind of universal compassion for all forms of life, one which allows us to get in touch with the suffering that everyone encounters at some point in this existence.
Loving yourself, loving others
A traditional loving-kindness (Metta) practice begins with self-compassion, and this exercise follows that order. Once you’ve acknowledged that you yourself deserve love and compassion, you can begin to offer loving-kindness to others, and to all aspects of your life. The exercise also includes forgiveness. It starts from the view that everyone makes mistakes and that we all deserve to be forgiven for them. You’ll practice forgiving yourself, and forgiving others in turn.
