Practicing Meta - Loving Kindness For The Earth

As we focus on making the earth a better place, it is important to remember that our actions are not just about the environment, but also about the people around us. When we take small steps to make the earth a healthier place, we are also making a positive impact on the lives of those around us. This is why it is important to practice meta-loving kindness, which is the act of extending love and compassion not only to ourselves and those close to us but to all people and living beings on earth.

Transcript

Welcome to Love in Action,

A guided meditation for practicing Metta,

Loving kindness for the Earth.

We are all the inheritors of this great planet,

Passed down to us by our parents and all of the generations that came before.

Our elders teach us how to care for the land,

The sea,

Ourselves,

And each other,

But ultimately it is up to each one of us to decide how we will relate to the planet and its inhabitants.

In this meditation,

We will explore some ways to do small things to make the Earth a better place,

And also include some affirmations and some Metta loving kindness.

Find a comfortable seated position and close your eyes.

Take a deep breath in through your nose,

Filling your lungs with fresh air,

And give gratitude to the Earth and all of nature,

All natural things,

From tiny to large plants and animals.

Hold your breath for a moment,

And then release it slowly through your mouth.

As you exhale,

Imagine releasing any negative thoughts or feelings you have towards the Earth polluters.

Continue to breathe deeply and steadily,

Focusing on the sensation of the breath moving in and out of your body.

On your inhale,

You're giving gratitude to the Earth and all of nature.

You're holding your breath for your moment,

And then releasing it slowly through your mouth,

Releasing any negative thoughts or feelings you may have.

As you continue to breathe deeply and steadily,

Imagine a bright white light radiating from your heart center.

This light represents your love and intention for the Earth.

Visualize this light spreading outwards,

Up into the sky,

Enveloping the entire Earth and all of its inhabitants,

Its warmth and light.

Now see the Earth responding to your love and intention,

Becoming brighter,

More vibrant,

And more beautiful.

Just breathe normally now,

And feel the warmth of the Earth responding to your love.

As we focus on making the Earth a better place,

It's important to remember that our actions are not just about the environment,

But also about the people around us.

When we take even small steps to make the Earth a healthier place,

We are also making a positive impact on the lives of those around us.

This is why it's important to practice metta,

Or loving kindness,

Which is the act of extending love and compassion,

Not only to ourselves and those close to us,

But also to all the people and living beings on the planet.

Breathe deeply now.

Inhale loving kindness to yourself for your own healing energy for the planet,

And exhale loving kindness to everyone just like yourself,

Holding the Earth in loving energy and healing.

Repeat these affirmations after me.

I am a caretaker of this beautiful Earth,

And I choose to act with intention to leave it brighter and more beautiful than when I arrived.

I am grateful for all that the Earth provides for me,

And I choose to give back in my own small ways.

I am connected to the Earth and its inhabitants,

And I choose to live my life with the intention of leaving it a better place for generations to come.

When we improve the Earth's well-being,

We are also improving our own.

We can think of it as a symbiotic relationship.

As we nourish the Earth,

The Earth nourishes us in return.

It's really important to remember that our actions,

No matter how small,

Can really make a difference.

Our connection to the Earth is a deep and complex one.

It is not just about physical proximity or the resources the Earth provides for our survival,

But also about the energy and vibration that surrounds us.

We are connected to the Earth through our physical bodies,

Our emotions,

And our spiritual selves.

One way we are connected to the Earth is through our Earth Star Chakra,

Which is located about 12 inches below the soles of our feet.

This chakra is responsible for grounding us and connecting us to the Earth's energy and vibration.

When our Earth Star Chakra is balanced,

We feel rooted and centered,

And we are able to access the Earth's healing energy.

When it is out of balance,

We may feel disconnected,

Ungrounded,

And anxious.

Our culture also plays a role in our connection to the Earth.

Different cultures have different ways of relating to the Earth and nature.

For example,

In some indigenous cultures,

The Earth is seen as a living being that needs to be respected and cared for.

In these cultures,

There's a deep understanding of the interconnectedness of all living things and the importance of living in harmony with the Earth.

Sadly,

In many Western cultures,

The Earth has been seen as a resource to be exploited for human benefit by corporations,

But this is changing as people wake up.

Family history also impacts our connection to the Earth.

Our ancestors' relationship with the Earth has been passed down through generations and can shape our own understanding of the Earth and our place in it.

For example,

If our ancestors were farmers,

We may have deep appreciation for the Earth and its cycles and feel a strong connection to the land.

On the other hand,

If our ancestors were urban dwellers,

We may have less of a connection to the Earth and feel more comfortable in cities.

Our historical paths of migration also shape our connection to the Earth.

For example,

If your ancestors were forced to migrate due to war,

Famine,

Or other reasons,

You can feel a sense of disconnection from the Earth,

Even in subsequent generations.

Our connection to the Earth is also deeply connected with our emotions and our spiritual selves.

Being in nature,

For example,

Has been shown to have a calming calming and restorative effect on our emotions.

The sound of the birds singing,

The gentle swaying of the trees in the breeze,

The scent of the flowers,

All contribute to a sense of peace and tranquility.

Many spiritual practices,

Such as meditation,

Yoga,

Forest bathing,

And rituals involve connecting to the Earth's energy and vibration.

By connecting to the Earth's energy,

We can tap into a deep sense of peace,

Healing,

And connection to all living things.

Our connection to the Earth is a complex and multifaceted one.

It is influenced by our physical and emotional selves,

Our culture,

Our family history,

And our historical paths of migration.

Just for a moment,

Think of all those variables for yourself and what has brought you to this place.

By understanding and nurturing our connection to the Earth,

We can live more balanced,

Fulfilled,

And harmonious lives,

And also,

In our own small way,

Contribute to a healthier planet for generations to come.

One way to practice metta,

Or loving kindness,

Is to focus on the interconnectedness of all living things.

We are all connected to the Earth and to each other,

And what we do to the Earth,

We do to ourselves and to others.

When we take steps to protect the environment,

We are also protecting the health and well-being of our families,

Our communities,

And future generations.

Feeling the loving kindness of our earlier breathing,

Let's repeat these affirmations again.

I am a caretaker of this beautiful Earth,

And I choose to act with intention to leave it brighter and more beautiful than when I arrived.

I am grateful for all that the Earth provides for me,

And I choose to give back in my own small ways.

I am connected to the Earth and its inhabitants,

And I choose to live my life with the intention of leaving it a better place for generations to come.

It's really easy to get bombarded by doom-scrolling and corporate and political misinformation and fear-mongering.

Let's take that all down to a doable personal level.

Think for a moment of all the tiny small positive things,

Or large,

You may already be doing,

And now feel the gratitude of Mother Earth coming back.

It's easy to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the environmental challenges facing our planet,

But it's important to remember that every little bit counts.

Small actions,

When multiplied by millions of people,

Can have a really big impact.

By incorporating a few simple habits into our daily routine,

We can make a real difference in the health and well-being of the Earth and our own lives.

One of the most powerful things we can do is to make a habit of repurposing,

Reducing,

Reusing,

And recycling.

This can be as simple as bringing your own reusable grocery bags to the store,

Or using a refillable water bottle,

Or composting your food scraps.

By reducing the amount of waste we produce,

We can help to conserve natural resources and reduce pollution.

Another habit you could consider is being mindful of the products we buy and use.

You can choose environmentally friendly products.

We can help to reduce the demand for products that are harmful to the Earth.

This can include everything from cleaning products and personal care items,

To clothing and furniture.

You can start shopping vintage or going to consignment shops.

Planting a small garden can be a great way to connect with the Earth,

And it can also provide fresh fruits and vegetables for you or your family.

Even small steps like using natural fertilizers,

Or using rainwater for irrigation,

Or even planting a small tree in your yard or a pot can have a positive impact on the environment.

In your community,

You could volunteer for local projects,

Or even organize a community day cleanup.

You can support local farmers by shopping at a farmer's market,

Or joining a community supported food program,

Maybe a community garden.

Making small changes in our daily habits can be easy,

But they can also be very powerful.

By taking even small steps to reduce our impact on the Earth,

We can create a ripple effect that leads to a healthier,

More sustainable world for all.

And as we make these positive changes,

Not only do we help the Earth,

But we also improve our own physical and mental health by feeling we have a small amount of control over it.

We build a stronger sense of community as you continue to breathe deeply and steadily.

Another way to practice metta,

Or loving kindness for the Earth,

Is to focus on gratitude.

As we take even small steps to make the Earth a better place,

We can be grateful for the opportunities we have to make a positive impact.

We can be grateful for the clean air we breathe,

Clean water we drink,

And the beautiful natural landscapes that surround us.

By focusing on gratitude,

We can cultivate a positive mindset that will help to sustain us as we work towards a healthier planet.

We can also practice metta,

Or loving kindness,

By being kind and compassionate to ourselves.

It can be really easy to become overwhelmed and feel like we're not doing enough,

But it's important to remember that every little bit counts,

And to be gentle and understanding with ourselves as we work towards a healthier planet.

Take a moment now to send metta,

Or loving kindness,

To all of the people listening to this meditation.

We're trying to do small,

Great things to make the planet a healthier place.

Feel the group connection.

Imagine a bright light of love and compassion surrounding all of us,

Connecting us in our shared goal of making the Earth a better place.

Know that we are not alone in this journey,

And that all together,

We can make a truly great difference.

Feel the gratitude energy from Earth coming back to us.

Feel the vibration of love from the Earth.

As we come to the end of this meditation,

Take a moment now to reflect on all that you've learned,

And the actions that you could possibly take to make the Earth a better place.

Remember that every small step we take towards improving the Earth's well-being is also improving our own health.

Keep this feeling of connection and purpose with you as you go about your day.

The Earth is counting on us to be its caretaker.

Let's each do a little something to make the Earth a better place every day.

Sending you loving kindness.

Namaste.