As we ease our way into this month of February, with its cold, snowiness and its tradition of love and connection, I wanted to shine a light on the practice of Metta meditation or loving-kindness meditation as a way to foster care and connection with ourselves and those around us. 

“Metta meditation… is a Buddhist practice for cultivating compassion for ourselves and others through directing loving, friendly phrases and goodwill.” From Lion’s Roar.

In this type of meditation practice we offer positive wishes like happiness, good health, safety and ease to ourselves as well as people we love, people we feel neutral towards, people we feel we have a challenging or difficult relationship with, and then ultimately to all beings everywhere.

We start with ourselves – offering kindness and compassion -  so that we learn to have a kinder relationship with ourselves, which will allow us to be able to put ourselves in someone else’s shoes and find compassion or loving-kindness for them because we have a better idea of where they are coming from.

And while this practice might seem or feel too sentimental or “gushy”, it can have a lovely effect of softening and opening our hearts, allowing us to feel more connected to ourself and others, improving those relationships.  It can also help us feel more tolerant and patient, as well as help decrease feelings of stress, anxiety. 

Remember, though, you don’t have to feel any particular feeling or emotion. This is simply an invitation to open ourselves up; to open to a new way; to remind ourselves of our inter-connectedness.

Here's a loving-kindness meditation for you to explore- I hope you enjoy practicing with it!

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