Loving Kindness Towards A Pet

This isn’t so much a formal meditation practice, but more of an experience inviting you to take note of what it feels like when you are in the company or presence of a pet.

I wonder if feelings of warmth, friendliness or loving kindness would arise?

Transcript

Hello and thank you for joining me. The term loving kindness can seem at times like something impossible. When we feel stuck in negativity, Anger, Or hate, It might be really hard to tap into Anything close to love or kindness. Living in the age of social media, It's easy to assume that our fellow humans are perpetually Blissful and so filled with love that they've never known a bad day in their lives. This belief can feed our dissatisfaction with ourselves and make the practice of loving Kindness feel even further from our reach. A teacher of mine suggests that when we can't access loving kindness, We can try warm and Friendly instead. Animals can be great guides on this path, They live perpetually in the present and never Resist their own emotions. They can be amazing teachers of unconditional love. This isn't a formal meditation, But more of an experience that will be good to be done In the company of a pet. The animal doesn't have to be your own, But it should be one who's familiar enough with You to be near you, Or better yet, Sitting on your lap. Observe the feeling you get from this being wanting to be in your presence. Notice what it feels like to be accepted exactly as you are. This being isn't asking you to change anything about yourself, It doesn't matter what you Look like, How successful you are, Or what mistakes you've supposedly made in your life. To this being, You are 100% okay exactly as you are in this moment. Send your affection for you seeping into your body, Picture it pooling directly in Your heart. Be still with the energy of this pure being who is simply right here, Right now. They have no worries, No preoccupations, No conditions. As you are with this very being, Experience the exchange of affection that asks for nothing In return. Take note of what you're experiencing in your own body as you sit here. Now slowly allow this to dissolve. The more you practice this, The easier it will be to access in difficult times when We all need a bit of loving kindness, Or at least some warmth and friendliness.