The Transformative Nature of Love

"The cure for all the ills and wrongs, the cares, the sorrows, and the crimes of humanity, all lie in the one word love. It is the divine vitality that everywhere produces and restores life."
~ Lydia M. Child (1802-1880), abolitionist.

This meditation allows you to experience the truly transformative nature of love.

Transcript

As Valentine's Day is upon us,

I've been thinking about love and all the forms that it takes.

I came upon a quote by Lydia Child,

And she says,

The cure for all the ills and wrongs,

The cares,

The sorrows,

And the crimes of humanity all lie in the one word,

Love.

It is the divine vitality that everywhere produces and restores life.

I think this really captures the powerful nature of love and how it can be such a good and strong force in our culture.

Whenever we recognize goodness,

Our heart opens with loving kindness.

And starting from the love we feel for those dearest to us,

This version of the loving kindness meditation that I'll guide you through can help us learn to see goodness in those who are different,

Distant,

Or even hurtful.

So take a moment to find a way to sit that will allow you to be comfortable and relaxed.

Letting go of whatever tension you can.

Loosen your shoulders.

Soften your hands.

And relax your belly.

Feel a smile spread through your eyes,

Softening the flesh around them.

Bring a slight smile to the mouth.

And feel the smile on the inside of the mouth.

Smile into your heart.

And then imagine the smile expanding,

Creating a receptive,

Tender space through the whole heart and chest area.

Now bring into your heart someone you love.

Taking some moments to reflect on the qualities you most appreciate.

Perhaps this person is kind,

Humorous,

Witty.

And picture what this person is like when they're feeling love for you.

Be aware of their essence as good and wakeful and caring.

In your heart,

Feel your appreciation for this dear one.

And begin offering your prayer.

May you be filled with loving kindness.

May you feel my love now.

May you feel safe and at ease.

May you know the natural joy of being alive.

May your heart and mind awaken.

May you be free.

As you silently whisper each of these phrases or internally whisper them,

Imagine how it might be for this person to experience this blessing from you.

The fullness of love,

Self-acceptance,

Peace,

Joy,

And freedom.

Now,

Widen your circle of caring by bringing to mind a neutral person.

So someone you don't have strong feelings about either way.

Maybe it's someone who made your coffee this morning at the coffee shop.

Or a stranger you made eye contact with.

Take some moments to recall how this person looks and moves and speaks.

Now,

Try to imagine the person gazing at a beloved child.

Or struck by the beauty of a fresh snowfall.

Or laughing,

Relaxed,

And at ease.

Or in a deep sleep.

Or laughing,

Relaxed,

And at ease.

Remind yourself that this person wants to be happy and doesn't want to suffer.

And as this person begins to come alive for you,

Offer them the loving kindness.

May you be filled with loving kindness.

May you feel my love now.

May you feel my love now.

May you accept yourself just as you are.

May you touch great and natural peace.

May your heart and mind awaken.

May you be free.

Now bring to mind someone with whom you have a more difficult relationship.

Perhaps this person evokes anger,

Fear,

Or hurt,

Or anxiety.

First take a moment to bring a kind,

Non-judging attitude to your own feelings as you reflect on this person.

And now turning back to this difficult person,

Try to see past the mask or your label for the person.

And instead do the work of looking to see some aspect of this person's basic goodness.

It may be helpful to imagine this person as a young,

Blameless child.

Sleeping peacefully.

Or perhaps at the other end of life as someone who has just passed away.

Can you recall anything at all about this person that you admire?

Some quality of dedication?

Or creativity?

Even if it's difficult to recognize this person's goodness,

Remind yourself that all humans want to be happy and they want to avoid suffering.

Remember that life matters to this person just as it does to you.

And now turn to this person.

Remember that life matters to this person just as it does to you.

So holding this person with a gentle attention,

Let's offer the phrases of loving kindness.

May you be filled with loving kindness.

May you feel my love now.

May you feel safe and at ease.

May you know the natural joy of being alive.

May your heart and mind awaken.

May you be free.

Now imagine that you're bringing together all of those whom you've just offered loving kindness to.

A dear person,

A neutral one,

A difficult one.

And take a moment to include yourself,

Honoring the goodness and sincerity you've brought to this meditation.

And while holding yourself and the others in your heart,

Sense your connectedness,

Your shared humanity,

Your shared vulnerability,

And basic goodness.

Sending an offering of loving kindness to all of these at once.

Recognizing that you are in this together.

We are all in this together.

And finally,

Allow your awareness to open out in all directions.

Imagine expanding in front of you,

To either side,

Behind you,

Below you,

And above you.

And in this vast space,

Sense your connection to the other.

Feel your loving presence is holding all beings.

The wild creatures of the air and sea.

Those who run through the fields.

The pets who live in our homes.

The trees and grasses and flowers.

Children everywhere.

Humans living in the forest.

Humans living in both great poverty and those with great riches.

Those at war and those at peace.

Those who are in the process of dying.

And those who are just being born.

Imagine that you can hold the earth in your lap and include all life everywhere in your boundless,

Ever expanding heart.

Aware of the goodness inherent in every single living being.

Again,

Offer your prayers.

May all beings be filled with loving kindness.

May all beings know great and natural peace.

May there be peace on earth.

Peace everywhere.

May all beings awaken.

May all be free.

Notice what it's like in your body to offer this boundless love to all beings everywhere.

Allow yourself to rest here in openness and silence.

Letting whatever arises in your heart and awareness be touched by loving kindness.

And now when you're ready,

Allow your breath to deepen and bring some movement to your fingers and toes.

Slowly opening your eyes and looking around you.

And just checking in to see if anything feels different after experiencing such infinite love.

May you carry this love with you today through each breath and may it bring you comfort tonight as you sleep.

Happy Valentine's Day today and every day.

Until next time.

Reviews

Thank you for this gift of love 🙏🏽💖🙏🏽

Beautiful meditation. Whether it be on Valentine’s Day or not. This meditation has helped me to love not only myself, but those around me more openly. May we all transcend and reach a level of peace, comfort, and unconditional love. Namaste.

This is one of the best meditations I’ve done on this app. It was exactly what I needed tonight.

Beautiful exquisite reminder to expand our love and light. Every day is Valentines day! Thank you!

That was a lovely meditation - thank you very much!! :)

Absolutely beautiful and peaceful lovingkindness meditation! It's about love❣

Thank you for sharing this lovely loving meditation...touched my heart..

This was really good! I actually felt something positive for someone who harmed me badly.

Thank you for allowing my love and compassion to flow for all.

Deep and moving. Connecting all at the end was profound for me. Thank you. 💐🙏🏻

Lovely, nice soothing voice. Thank you. Many blessings. ❤️🙏🏼

We should all strive to follow this advice every day of the year!

Such a sweet voice. Thank you for the wonderful sleep!