For some of us, trying to cultivate self-love and acceptance through a Loving Kindness practice can be like trying to go to the moon: we know it’s possible, but the journey seems impossible. It’s so much easier to worry about our endless responsibilities than to sit with ourselves, our thoughts and try to change our pattern of thinking.

That’s why we’ve collected some helpful articles to help you get started on your Loving Kindness practice.

It’s Radical. In a world that’s moving ever swifter, slowing down and taking time for ourselves can feel like the last thing we want to do. Who needs self-care time when there’s a to-do list a mile long, right? Well, Jon Kabat-Zinn, PhD and founding executive director of the Center for Mindfulness in Medicine, Health Care, and Society at the University of Massachusetts, explains in this article from Mindful.org that a Loving Kindness practice can be a radical act of love that we should practice with abundance in order to bring self-awareness and compassion into our lives.

It Takes Time. As much as instant gratification is rewarding, its effects are fairly fleeting. Sharon Salzberg, author and co-founder of Insight Meditation Society, tells us in an article on Mindful.org that this practice is supposed to be easy and kind on oneself and to just start. When it comes to any meditation practice, starting is the biggest step for a lot of us. So start now, even if you’re not sure you’re doing it correctly or you don’t feel immediately happy. The more space you give yourself the more you’ll see shifts in your mindset.

It Can Be Simple. In this article on Lions Roar, author Valerie Mason-John shares a simple yet effective Loving Kindness meditation that you can start today.

Published on Feb 27 09 : 00 am