Loving Kindness Meditation

3/30/2020

According to the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society loving kindness meditation is a method for developing compassion. Compassion for self, for others, and for the world. There are no conditions, its an inclusive love that is not measured but is deserving of everyone, even if you don't think so.

It is known as a metta prayer which is wishing good will and intentions upon yourself and others. Often we self-criticize or self-loathe creating an unhealthy picture of who we are. Loving kindness meditation helps us accept who we are as we are.

If meditation isn't really your thing and you want more factual information about how something like this is beneficial. Please check out the "18 Science-Backed Reasons to Try Loving Kindness Meditation" by Emma Seppala. You will find various research explaining increased health benefits, better social emotional regulation, and increased brain activation.

Meditation Practice

1. Get in a comfortable position, relax your body and close your eyes

2. For a few minutes breath deeply focusing on your breath moving in and out letting go of any other preoccupations

3. Recite these phrases about your well being internally or out loud to yourself (you can identify phrases that work for you).

May I be filled with loving kindness
May I be free from inner and outer harm
May I be healthy and whole in body and mind
May I be happy and at ease

4. Listen and internalize the meaning of the words, think of the kindness you have shown to others. Picture yourself being loved. Feel free to recite the words multiple times.

5. Next think of someone in your life that you care for or love. Someone you have a relationship with and recite these words.

May you be filled with loving kindness
May you be free from inner and outer harm
May you be healthy and whole in body and mind
May you be happy and at ease

6. Allow your images and feelings for the person to come forth and be free as you imagine these words to support the individual. See loving kindness in them.

7. At this time you can refocus to your breath or choose another individual to repeat steps 5 and 6 before ending your meditation.

Tips For Practice

It's important to set aside a time to practice the meditation every day. Start with a short amount of time like 2 minutes and create a timer on your phone. Sometimes it can be difficult to say or imagine ourselves with loving kindness. However it is important that you say these words to yourself even if you do not believe them. Think of the intentions behind them. Once your comfortable with the meditation you can focus on those individuals whom you may not be getting along with.

If you need some guidance check out this short youtube video below which leads you through a loving kindness meditation.

Spiritual practices are essential to our ongoing walk of faith. If you have a spiritual practice that's important for you please share it with us. Visit our contact us page and let us know.

This week take a few minutes to do this loving kindness meditation.

1 Comment

Author

Craig Hidy like the majority of ministers in Community of Christ is a bi-vocational, self sustaining ordained minister. He is a member of the Midlands Mission Center Emporia Team and an ordained Seventy. He and his family, live in Topeka, Kansas.

The mission of the Seventy
“After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go. He said to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest. Go on your way. See, I am sending you out like lambs into the midst of wolves.” Luke 10:1-3 NRSV

What is a Seventy?
The Seventy carry out missionary work for the church in close association with other missionary leaders. They represent Christ primarily as ministers of evangelism through witnessing, inviting, and church planting.

They especially proclaim and promote Jesus Christ’s invitation to faithful discipleship through vibrant witness, and train individuals and congregations in witness and invitation.

They particularly minister with seekers, individually and in groups, to share the gospel in relevant ways and to invite response.

Please Note

The views expressed here are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent or reflect the views of Community of Christ. We believe individuals should be allowed to have their own opinions and be at different places in their faith journey.

Emporia Community of Christ

Jim

4/2/2020 08:59:05 pm

Mindfulness Meditation Online - If you are interested in pursuing meditation, join the Centre Place Community of Christ Congregation for Mindfulness Meditation online, live streamed over FaceBook and Youtube. Please visit their website for additional information. https://www.centreplace.ca/meditation

Breathing, relaxation, and guided exercises. Experience deep relaxation. Learn to manage stress and anxiety. Deepen your spiritual practice. Our approach to mindfulness draws together Zen meditation and other techniques from the mystical traditions of East and West. We also incorporate the modern perspectives of neuroscience, evolutionary psychology, and philosophy of mind. All levels, spiritual types, religious backgrounds, and gender identities and expressions are welcome.

We start with guided exercises to help us find the right posture and breathing rhythm. Then, we focus the mind and explore consciousness envisioning images and considering ideas that draw together ancient wisdom and mythology from the Eastern and Western traditions with up-to-date theories in the fields of neuroscience, evolutionary psychology, and philosophy of mind. We follow with a few minutes of gentle yoga to relax the core muscles in preparation for 10 minutes of silent unguided meditation.

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.

70CraigBlog: Blogging about
faith, spirituality and discipleship.