Day 14: Expanding Kindness

 Welcome to 40 Days of Mindfulness and Compassion Day 14!

 

Lecture

 We have already tapped in the well of kindness. We have seen that, from the perspective of this contemplative approach, kindness can be pure and unconditional. From the depths of our heart we can want what is best for another or for our self.  From an evolutionary biological perspective, we can say that we have an ingrained and innate capacity to be able to express this type of kindness to those who are near and dear to us. However, it is very selective, and for many of us, we have lost touch with this completely because of childhood and difficulties. However, it is ingrained and innate and can be uncovered.

Not only can it be uncovered, but it can be enhanced and broadened. Through practice, innate kindness can be accessed more readily and can be extended to broader ranges of people. We might even discover that we can extend this pure kindness to difficult people! But remember, a key to any sort of cultivation practice is to forego immediate expectations.

With kindness practices, we can often, but not always, feel a sense of well being emerging from the practice. It is important, though, not to expect this or evaluate our practice negatively if this does not occur. These practices are often working on us at a subtle level that we are not immediately aware of. And then, unexpectedly, the results of the practice emerge or seep into ordinary life.

This practice is quite revolutionary. It was largely introduced to the West through Sharon Salzberg’s Lovingkindness: The Revolutionary Art of Happiness.

A review I did several years ago of Sharon Salzberg’s Lovingkindness is here

Enjoy!

 

Meditation Tips

Meditation Tip #16:If feeling lost or discouraged, consider tapping into your intentionfor doing the practice, or your intention of what you are trying to cultivate. Do not worry if you can fully embody to access this intention. Just acknowledge it, breathe into to it and then allow to imbue your meditation session.

 

Meditation

 Note: This is a meditation that I have used in another program. At the beginning, I say “welcome to Day 10.” Please disregard.

 

Self-Reflective Activity

 While walking or performing mundane activities, silently recite in your mind “May I be happy. May I be at peace. May I know joy.”  When encountering others, silently recite in your mind “May you be happy. May you be at peace. May you know joy.” Before going to bed silently recite in your mind “May we all be happy. May we all be at peace. May we all know joy.”

 

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