Two different books in a row I've read have both talked about the great value of meditating on "being loved". Apparently studies show that it really helps you relax, lowers your stress levels which then makes all your body's systems work better, helps you not get sick and so on.

Here's what they said to do. Start by sitting somewhere quiet (or heck you can do it when you're in bed waiting to fall asleep). Focus on sending yourself loving thoughts. You are "enough". You have skills. You have good qualities. Think about your accomplishments. Praise yourself for them.

Once you do this a few times, expand your reach. Now think about your very best friend. Send her (or him) loving thoughts, thanking her for being there for you, praising her for her talents.

Again, after a few times, expand your reach to a larger group of friends. Keep doing this over time, working your way outwards, until you are sending the entire world love and comfort. It really will affect your stress levels, your relaxation, and how you interact with people.

Start from the beginning! I will try that tonight.

That sounds like a great technique, definitely worth practicing. Does anyone do something similar?

I did try it last night and I got distracted almost immediately! I completely forgot about it until I saw this point. I will have to try again tonight. It feels awkward I think, so I have to try to focus.

I do do this, and it is tremendously helpful when I am stressed. This theme must be in the air right now, as it is the focus of the book I just featured too. That author, Sylvia Boorstein, stresses how restoring our connection to others through loving thoughts restores our own mind's balance. It seems counterintuitive at first, because when we are stressed we tend to think in terms of 'what do I need to fix', but her point is that then we get more and more self-absorbed, and cut-off from ourselves. By instead gradually restoring a caring connection, from ourselves outward, we calm down and can see clearly.

Susan, I know you feature a lot of compassion based practices on your site too.

Every year my New Year's resolution is to be kinder ...

I keep trying this every night and every night it is VERY hard for me to think of "loving me". What I have compromised on is imagining the earth loves me for all my recycling, that the moss and snuggly ground is comforting me and thanking me for using rechargeable batteries, taking showers instead of baths, and so on. That is something I can do. So I'm working on that, and will soon move on to sending that love to me and to my close friends.

Lisa, thanks for sharing your experiences.

My father and I had a difficult relationship well into my 30s. Then one day getting ready to leave him I gave him a big hug and told him I loved him. He said he loved me too. That was so healing to me.

Since then, I've made a point to reach out and hug family and friends, and sometimes tell them I love them.

Susan

I still really have trouble thinking "I am loved" thoughts at night, but I have worked at it, at the earth loving me and thanking me.

I'm moving on to having the earth love me and my son

Lisa, that sounds like good progress - allowing the universe to love you one step at a time!

Affirmations:

I am loved by the universe.
I feel nurtured in nature.

It seems easier to have the earth love me and my son for some reason That we are doing our part to recycle, to turn off items when not in use and so on. I think because the focus is not on "just me" but on "my family". I will keep at it!

That's great! If we'd all do as much we'd solve all the squandering of the earth's resources.

Affirmations:

I am using the earth's resources wisely.

I am doing my part to preserve the earth's gifts.

I still really have trouble with this one. I try it but it feels a bit egotistical to me. Maybe I should try a different slant to it, something more along the lines of "the earth is all one system and we all share in its love". Something universal.

Great topic and great question Susan!



Every day when I get up, literally out of bed and stretch my arms up, I sing: "Thank you God for another wonderful daaay!" Which at least gets a good stretch in, and starts things off positively.

Last time I saw Dr. Deepak Chopra he had the whole auditorium meditate for 15 minutes but before starting he told us all to think appreciation for a few minutes first.

When I looked at the title of this post it reminded me of a post I made about a technique Mantac Chia shares here, "A genuine smile transforms negative energy into loving energy that has the power to relax, balance, and heal. By learning to smile inwardly to the organs and glands, you will cause your whole body to feel loved and appreciated and to enjoy more Chi."

And I really appreciate you all sending loving thoughts too! he he..

Love and *LIGHT* *BEING*, Teom

Teom,

Thank you for your positive and light post. If we'd all be Light we'd be much happier.

With the holidays upon us let's be as bright as the merry lights around.

Susan

Susan,

I feel lighter already! I always think that the Flying Carpet idea, made into many stories, originally had to do with the guy devotedly meditating, well, he almost looked like he was somewhere else.. levitated!

In fact, many serious and sad things have their best solution in being taken lighter! Not all of course :duh he he.. Most though!

Stay bright and light, Teo

Teo - take care and thanks for adding to our forum!

Meditation is just being with your self.
Just relax. Do nothing. Just relax.
Be a witnessor. Just witness.
Meditation is not doing. Meditation is being.

Sit comfortably. Close your eyes. Relax.
Just relax.
Slowly you feel your body and mind is getting relaxed.
Thoughts do creep in.
Do not go behind the thoughts, do not negate the thoughts.
Just be with your self.
Slowly breath becomes more rythemic and slow.
Just be. Just relax.

Meditate as long as you feel.
You will feel fresh and energetic after Meditation.

Meditation is by itself is attuning your self to your core and to the whole existence.

Meditationguru

That is so beautiful MeditationGuru! I'm relaxed! I'm attuning to my self and core!

What a great message, I needed that today! It was perfect to see my notification, this great reply is even in my email inbox, lucky me!

Also thanks to these great forums for these opportunities.

Love and *LIGHT* *BEING*,
Teo

Teo - so happy that you enjoy what you find in the forums!

Yes, I have practiced this for some time now. I guess after a while, it kind of became a second nature. It started out as a remedy and a practice for me to let go (of another person's stuff) so I could find more peace. But it eventually became a habit of simply seeing and wishing the best for another person especially when they are difficult.

I believe in the power of thoughts especially the power of loving thoughts. I think there is a lot happening in the process.

Thanks for sharing this practice.

Teo, how wonderful! I have tried to do the same starting a few years back. I have to be honest that I don't do it everyday, but I try each morning when I remember it. Your post just reminded me that I need more consistency in my life.

I wish you light!

Yes, I think it's much more difficult to think of loving thoughts for ourselves. After reading the previous posts again, I realize I did the exercise "backwards" as I started sending others loving thoughts first. It was not until last year that I was able to think of myself as "good enough". I think being "good enough" is what many people struggle with even for the most "successful" people.

Lisa, you certainly are "more than" good enough. The good that you bring to earth is much more than all the recycling, the rechargeable batteries, and all the conservation effort that you choose to practice. I have been touched by your free ebook on how to make the world better and your effort to help Haiti. Certainly, so many things you do make the world a better place. And for that, there are so many things are "lovable" about you.

Thanks for starting this thread.