Do you love yourself?
A quick “yes” answer to this question is expected.
But do you, really?
How many times in your life have you put up with mediocre relationships?
How many times have you allowed others to disrespect you continually?
Do you ever end up alone for the sake of having fun?
If you have answers to all these questions other than a resounding no, and these situations have been bothering you a lot lately, then here’s the truth—you need more self-love.
Self-love is about loving and enjoying who you are. It will emerge when you take the time, when you really take the time to explore and get to know your true self.
We live in a time when self-love is widely encouraged. You hear and read plenty of ways to show yourself some self-love, and some of them are really effective.
Another self-love routine you can do is through metta meditation.
THE Meditation for Self-Love
Metta meditation is also known as a Loving Kindness meditation.
“Metta,” in Sanskrit means positive energy and kindness toward others. Therefore, metta meditation is also known as loving kindness meditation.
In this practice, you choose a specific object of meditation and you hold that in your heart similar to how you would hold something fragile and precious in your hand.
Metta meditation is a concentration practice, which is why it’s all about the object of your meditation. When you find yourself distracted in the middle of your meditation, you need to proactively snap out of it and come back to the object of your meditation.
In turn, you continue to let go of everything that comes up. You might think that it’s challenging, but letting go of intrusive thoughts will provide you with valuable insights—the thoughts that you hold onto.
The Technique of Metta Meditation
Since met meditation is all about developing positive emotions towards yourself and others, a common technique is the use of phrases to express your intentions.
Here are some traditional metta phrases you can use to kickstart your practice:
- “May I be healthy”
- “May I be safe”
- “May I be at ease and happy”
To use this technique, you can repeat these phrases to yourself without expecting anything.
You can always craft your own metta meditation phrases based on whatever you feel at that moment.
Do Metta Meditation Today
You don’t need any special tools to do a metta meditation. Here’s how you can do it:
- Sit in a comfortable position, close your eyes, and take slow, deep breaths.
- Focus on your breathing for a few minutes.
- Choose a kind and positive phrase and slowly repeat it.
- Think about your friends and family or a specific person. Recite the phrase towards that person.
- Repeat the phrase until you feel compassionate feelings.
You can use visual imagery while reciting each phrase as well!
If you’re new to the practice, be patient with yourself. Don’t expect instant results because this will set you up for failure. You can experiment with the practice to find the best technique that suits you. Perhaps, you are more comfortable doing it in a certain location or pose. Whatever it is, don’t be afraid to experiment.
Are you ready to trust your capacity to love yourself and others?
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