The loving kindness practice normally starts by directing kind phrases towards ourselves, then branching out to a benefactor, neutral person, difficult person, and then all beings.
Like many people, I find directing phrases of kindness towards myself to be difficult. Like Carol, I have a vocal self-critic who likes remind me of my many failings, weaknesses, and *gasp* humanness. 🙂
On a few occasions, our teacher has led a loving kindness meditation with a bit of a twist. Instead of diving in and sending kind phrases to ourselves, we first visualize some being who loves us unconditionally, and imagine ourselves receiving the phrases from them.
That’s easy…
Those soft brown eyes that look at me so lovingly. The wagging tails that greet me any time I walk in the door. My furry friends who cuddle close when I read a book, and who sit with me when I meditate. They regularly show me the everyday joys in the simple things, like fresh snow, finding sticks, and meeting friends old and new.
When I feel that love radiating to me, I find that it’s easier to accept the loving kindness phrases for myself.
Then I find, as Jane Siberry sings,
Everything reminds me of my dog
It’s even easier to direct the phrases to others, with meaning.
If you remind me of my dog
We’ll probably git along little doggie git along
Git along little doggie…
The kindness I get from my dogs extends further.
Beautiful things remind me, too
Sunsets remind me of my dog
And so my loving kindness practice extends beyond my little self and into the universe, as inspired by my dogs.
May all beings be safe.
May all beings be happy.
May all beings be healthy.
May all beings live with ease.
— Andrea G (and Savanna and Reece too!)