Just talking about loving yourself is a nice idea but it’s kind of squishy–how do you actually go about doing it? Well, I’ve got something to share with you that will help you put ‘love myself’ on to your calendar, and then actually do it. In fact, we’re going to do it in just a few seconds. You psyched??
Listen To The Podcast Here
In Buddhism there is a specific kind of meditation that is called a loving kindness, or metta, meditation. It’s where you sit quietly, check in with your breath a bit, let yourself arrive in the moment, and then consciously direct your thoughts to send some loving energy your own way.
Jon Kabat-Zinn, who has quite a lot to do with why we have all heard about mindfulness says: “It is indeed a radical act of love just to sit down and be quiet for a time by yourself.”
So let’s do it now. Whaddyasay? This way, you won’t have to remember to do it later.
[If you’re reading the blog version of this episode, click the play button above and do it with me.]
Wherever you are, find a comfortable place to sit.
Close your eyes.
Feel your sitting bones reaching down into the floor and the crown of your head bobbing up toward the sky. Your chest is open. Your belly is soft. And your hands are resting on your thighs.
Listen to the sound of your breath. Register each inhale, and each exhale, feeling the breath flowing into and out of your lungs.
Now call up an image of yourself. It could be from any time in your life, whatever appears is perfect.
Focusing your mind’s eye on that image of you, repeat to yourself
May I be happy.
May I be healthy.
May I be free from harm.
May I experience ease.
And once again:
May I be happy.
May I be healthy.
May I be free from harm.
May I experience ease.
And now silently tell yourself the most loving thing that pops into your mind.
Come back to the sound of your breath.
And now open your eyes.
See, that was pretty easy, right?
Do it one more time over the course of the weekend, and charge up your love batteries for yourself.
That’s it.
Come back next week when we’re talking about dealing with difficult people.
(You’re really going to want to have your love batteries charged up for this one!)
