What does it mean to be kind? In a world fraught with uncertainties, fear and anger can easily dominate our state of being. When we have no motivation for gentle, loving thoughts toward those who disagree with us, stress levels rise, and violent acts may ensue. Showing love for someone who upsets or hurts us may seem impossible, but, kindness is necessary if we want our human race to survive.
The following meditation is helpful whenever your mind becomes turbulent or agitated. Practice during times of disagreements and arguments, so you can readily retreat to the calm ocean of your soul.
Lie down in a comfortable position, free from external distractions. Take several deep breaths to start letting go of your anger. Bring your awareness to sensations throughout your body. Once you’ve begun to calm the flames of rage, notice subtle changes that are taking place in your body. Perhaps you are no longer clenching your teeth. Maybe your chest softens, and you feel your heartbeat slowing down.
Next, place your right hand on your belly, and your left hand over your heart. Feel under both hands, the gentle rising and falling motion of your breath, and your heart beating steadily. Let the wave-like motion of your breath, and the rhythmic beat of your heart, gently rock you to a place of peace.
Now, imagine your breath and heartbeat are sending ripple-like waves through your entire body. See these waves much like the ones created when you drop a rock into still water. Visualize these waves continuing to travel, beyond the boundaries of your physical body, and then out into the world around you.
Imagine these waves are sending healing light, love, and compassion to all people on the planet. Send them to someone who makes you feel angry. Send them to someone with whom you just had an argument. Send them to all human beings in your field of imagination.
When you radiate waves of love and compassion from your heart, it becomes an act of kindness. Trust that it works.
On some level, those who have upset you are reaping the healing benefits of your kindness meditation. It is not used to change someone’s opinion, it is simply a method to help you dampen the awful ugliness that arises when people misunderstand, hurt, or disagree with each other.
Practice as often as necessary, because as it helps you, it will indeed soften the hearts of everyone around you.
Written by Jill Lawson, published in OM Yoga and Lifestyle Magazine, January 2017