Day 16: Mindfulness is about loving life ~ Jon Kabat-Zinn
Music by Harry Massey from Journey Into the Matrix
Mindfulness is about loving life – just as it is
Some people think that meditation practice is all about escape. In an attempt to escape from pain, trauma or drama meditation is often considered an appropriate remedy. And while becoming more mindful and engaging in meditation will provide calm and a respite from the turbulence of daily life, engaging in mindfulness practices is really meant to bring more enjoyment to your everyday life.
No matter what is going on in the outside world, with mindfulness practice we learn that we have a choice in how we respond to our present circumstance. With time we discover that the automatic reactions of anger, irritability or attack are optional. We uncover the truth behind our negative emotions and realize that we are separate from them.
We are not our feelings, emotions or thoughts. And mindfulness shows us that despite the turmoil inside or outside of us we can bring a peaceful, joyful and even playful attitude to every situation.
Seeing clearly who we are and how we have the power to transform our lives is the aim of mindfulness practice. At the heart of the teachings is the invitation to become wise, awake and fully present. At our core we feel a deep love for life and begin to cherish our experiences for the lessons they bring on our path of evolution.
Mindfulness is about love and loving life. When you cultivate this love it gives you clarity and compassion for life. ~Jon Kabat-Zinn
THE COMPASSION MEDITATION PRACTICE
Begin today’s meditation by taking five deep, slow breaths. Breathe in through your nose slowly to the count of 6, hold your breath for 2 counts, and exhale slowly to the count of 6. Do this for a total of 5 breaths.
With your hands resting on your lap, or on your heart if you wish, recite the loving kindness phrases and really try to generate the feelings of kindness, friendliness and compassion. Starting with yourself, say:
May I be free from suffering. May I be peaceful and truly happy. May I be well in body, mind and heart. May I live with ease.
As you feel the warmth coming from your heart, a sincere desire that you not suffer, see if you can extend that feeling to someone you care about. Imagine a dear friend or loved one and repeat the phrases:
May you be free from suffering. May you be peaceful and truly happy. May you be well in body, mind and heart. May you live with ease.
Finally, as you bask in these wonderful feelings of kindness and compassion, extend the wish to all beings on the planet.
Spend a few minutes allowing this wave of loving kindness to swirl around you and radiate out from you. I will sound a bell when the meditation period is over.
Take this feeling of connectedness with you throughout your day. Always remembering that you, too, are worthy of a life free from suffering, full of peace and true happiness.
Please share this 21-day challenge with your friends and loved ones using the hashtags #Compassion #Meditation
May you be free from suffering. May you be peaceful and truly happy. May you be well in body, mind and heart. May you live with ease.
With love,