Loving Kindness Meditation to Feel Better
Loving-kindness is a positive way of making ourselves and those around us feel better. People who follow this approach are able to vastly improve their health and evoke feelings of love and friendliness toward the people that are around them. It helps keep the mind open, in the present and on a positive and joyful path. In troubled times, it reminds us to focus on the sweetness of life despite all the obstacles. So, how do we do it? It’s not difficult and does not require equipment of any kind. Basically, loving-kindness requires opening our heart and mind to all the good and positive aspects of our lives.
What Are the Benefits of Practicing Loving Kindness?
Loving-kindness meditation allows its users to focus on kind thoughts with a series of meaningful phrases. The phrases express kindness toward oneself and others. Examples are: May I be free from danger or may I have mental happiness. The thoughts are meant to flow naturally and can be extended to others. The mind rests within the phrases, bringing the practitioner into the present. Some effects of loving-kindness meditation are:
- Experiencing joy, contentment, and love toward others
- Eliminating some after-effects of depression
- Decreasing migraine symptoms
- Lessening pain
- Slowing aging
- Boosting mood
- Decreasing depression
- Rewiring the mind to be kinder
How to Practice Loving Kindness Meditation
Loving-kindness meditation begins with the practitioner sitting in a comfortable position and closing their eyes. After breathing deeply, it is necessary to relax the body. You can do this by focusing on an area of the body, tensing it for a few seconds and letting go. Once the body is relaxed, think of phrases that best reflect what you wish for yourself. These phrases are repeated in a gentle fashion.
Next, think of someone who is special to you. This can be someone you have respect or gratitude toward. Picture that person in your mind, and direct the same positive phrases you wished for yourself toward them. Do one phrase at a time and rest in between.
You can also concentrate on a neutral party. This might be someone you see casually or at work. Direct your thoughts toward them in the same fashion. If you wish, think of someone with whom you are having difficulty and repeat the exercise. It is important to remember that all of us just want happiness and well-being. Difficult people may be in a bad place in their life. Loving-kindness may help them rebuild their life too.
Kind Acts
It is within our nature to be kind to others. Modern life sometimes makes us forget that. Loving-kindness teaches us to open up to being kinder towards others. This may take the form of a random compliment to a neighbor or coworker. It may also involve simple acts such as holding the door for someone or helping them pick up something they dropped. Whatever it is, it means going outside our comfort zone and helping another person. A bonus here is that it promotes good feelings in others. For a simple exercise to see how this works, smile at someone in the supermarket. You’ll find that nine times out of 10 they’ll smile back. Good begets good.
Being Grateful
How grateful are you for your life? We all have many things to feel grateful about: a loving spouse, children, parents, and our work. Things may not be perfect, but they are a lot better than we give them credit for. Feeling gratitude helps lessen depressive thoughts, diminishes fatigue, helps us feel confident and assists us in getting a good night’s sleep. Unfortunately, it is easy to forget the many things for which we are thankful. Keeping a journal can help with that. By writing it down, we become more aware of the things that are right with our life. Getting rid of the negative is one way to restore our mental balance in the right direction.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer Ed Smith discusses the importance of a holistic approach:
Why Is Practicing Loving Kindness Important?
You’re probably wondering why a personal injury lawyer would be writing about kindness. This is because stressed lives can lead to accidents. No one wants that to happen. Practicing loving kindness helps reduce stress while sending good feelings to others. It can help all of us have more peaceful lives and deal with problems better.
Seeking Advice From a Lawyer After Your Injury
When you or a loved one has suffered an injury, it can be helpful to consult with an attorney who understands what you are going through. A holistic approach by an attorney with compassion and a real interest in the family as a whole can make the difference. The attorney can advise you on what your options are and help you through the process of recovering compensation. In this way, you can concentrate on getting through your difficult time without financial worry.
Sacramento Personal Injury Lawyer
I’m Ed Smith, a Sacramento personal injury lawyer. Injury has a way of disrupting our lives. Practicing loving-kindness meditation is one way to help us restore a positive outlook in the midst of trauma. Letting an attorney take care of the legal aspects of your accident and helping yourself heal is vital. For free and friendly advice, phone me at (916) 921-6400 or (800) 404-5400.
I’ve helped many of my fellow residents in the Sacramento area obtain compensation in wrongful death cases, car accidents, traumatic brain injuries, and other personal injuries.
I belong to both the National Association of Distinguished Counsel and the Million Dollar Forum. The first rewards attorneys who practice the highest level of legal excellence. The second is a nationwide group of lawyers who have won more than $1 million for a client.
You need to learn more about an attorney’s practice before you hire them. Learn about mine using the following links:
Photo Attribution: https://pixabay.com/photos/kindness-chalk-handwritten-word-1197351/; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ItK04YgV8o
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