Loving kindness meditation is a specific practice that invites us to cultivate warmth and love for others and ourselves. When I first heard the phrase “loving-kindness,” it felt distant and unfamiliar, and I wanted to keep it that way. It implied that I needed to sit and experience more of my internal world to… what? Cultivate love for myself?
It seems easier to offer loving kindness to others
Warmth and love toward others felt natural, and expanding these feelings was exciting. Loving-kindness toward myself, however, faced a heavy door that locked my feelings out. Thankfully, I had teachers and a heart that was ready to soften and open. I now see that pausing to be with this apprehension was a step toward loving myself more.
Start with loving your body, just as it is
There are many ways of showing loving kindness to ourselves. Sometimes just pausing to be with our experience in this moment is a step toward loving ourselves more. A simple practice like a body scan can be a powerful way to bring our attention back to ourselves. When did you last take a moment to appreciate your body for everything it does for you, often without thanks?
Follow along with Dr. Christiane Wolfe in this 15-minute video to practice giving attention and loving-kindness to your body. It’s a wonderful way to notice and appreciate all the things your body is doing for you, all day long, every day.
How do you cultivate love for a body that lives with chronic pain?
Loving our bodies can be challenging as they age, and chronic pain can make that relationship even more complicated.
In this podcast episode, Dr. Carol Bowman talks with Dr. Kathryn Schopmeyer, a physical therapist, and Dr. Andrea Buccino, a chiropractor, about how movement can become a powerful tool for managing pain and rebuilding appreciation for your body.
Drs. Schopmeyer and Buccino share how shifting our focus from limitations to abilities can open the door to healing. Even when our bodies change or move differently than they once did, we can still engage the parts that are available to us—improving function, reducing pain and enhancing quality of life.
Author: Jason Davis