The flower garden.
A loving kindness practice.
Find a comfortable seated position.
Rest your hands on your lap.
Close your eyes.
Relax.
Feel the breath and bring your awareness to your heart centre.
Breathe as if breathing into the heart centre.
Imagine the heart beginning to glow.
Beginning to light up.
A small glowing orb.
Stand with each breath,
Growing brighter.
Visualise a beautiful flower beginning to grow from your heart centre.
And we'll repeat the loving kindness phrases.
And with each phrase,
The flower begins to grow.
So say in your heart,
May I be happy.
May I be happy.
May I be healthy.
May I be healthy.
May I be safe.
May I be safe.
May I live with ease.
May I live with ease.
See the flower beginning to blossom.
Its petals unfolding with each phrase.
Continue saying the phrases.
Each phrase opening the flower a little more.
The flower becomes more vibrant.
Filling you with a warm loving glow.
Now imagine someone who you care about deeply.
Imagine them in front of you.
If you can,
Picture them there.
Standing.
Smiling.
Ready to receive your loving kindness.
And now another flower begins to bloom.
And this one is for them.
Say the phrases silently to them.
May you be happy.
May you be happy.
Watching the flower grow with each phrase.
May you be healthy.
May you be healthy.
May you be safe.
May you be safe.
May you live with ease.
May you live with ease.
Continue saying the phrases.
And as you do,
Watch the flower grow and bloom.
A petal opening with each phrase.
Infinite petals.
And you watch it grow together.
And seeing this beautiful coloured flower bloom.
You then pick it from your heart.
And you hand it to them.
And as you do,
You repeat the phrases.
Saying them with full meaning.
May you be happy.
May you be healthy.
May you be safe.
May you live with ease.
Seeing their face light up.
With joy at the gift you've given them.
Watch their response.
Feel any sensations of warmth in the heart.
Any sensations of love,
Of caring.
And allow these feelings to bloom.
Now allow the image of this person to fade.
And just bring your awareness back to your breath.
Breathing in and out of the heart centre.
Just sitting in silence.
Absorbing any feelings of love,
Connection or peace.
Cherishing your ability to have human contact.
Appreciate the sense of love and kindness that you have cultivated.
And as we bring this practice to a close.
Stay centred in the heart.
During your day.
And look for opportunities to give your love,
The flowers from your heart.
To those you meet.
