Understanding the Essentials of Loving-Kindness Meditation Practice

What does loving-kindness mean? Kindness is the quality of being generous and caring. Loving is the act of caring for someone deeply. Combine these two words, and you get the root of loving-kindness meditation: compassion. This meditation drives a particular purpose of directing loving thoughts first onto ourselves and then onto others. 

This act of training your mind to be kinder, more understanding, and less judgmental can start to positively affect your relationships with yourself and those around you. Humankindness is powerful medicine and has the potential to heal your body, mind, and spirit.

Find Peace of Mind With This Step-By-Step Guide to Loving-Kindness Meditations

This step-by-step guide for practicing a loving-kindness meditation works for any skill level. If you’re new to this practice, keep the focus on sending loving thoughts to yourself. 

Benefits of Regular Meditation

While the art of loving-kindness meditation is new compared to traditional meditation, there are some published studies that show the benefits of this practice. Benefits include:

• Stress reduction
• Management of social anxiety
• Management of marital conflicts
• Better anger control 
• Coping with the strain of long-term caregiving

 

Helpful Tips for LK Meditation

• When you first begin, use yourself as the sole subject of your meditation. Then begin to add the focus of others into your practice. Lastly, focus on people in your life you may not see eye to eye with.
• Utilize a guided meditation practice to help get you started.
• As you form a regular practice of meditation, set a timer with a gentle alarm to help pull you out of focus.
• It’s okay to mix things up. The meditation outlined is just one example. Use your own encouraging and loving phrases. Go at your own pace.

 

Is anxiety beginning to take a toll on your health? We’re here for you. Schedule a virtual visit with your St. Joseph and Texas A&M Health Network primary care physician.

Sources: 

Very Well Mind | How to Practice Loving Kindness Meditation

New York Times | How To Meditate

Headspace | Meditation For Compassion