HW420-Unit 6 Universal Loving-Kindness

This was the easiest of all the exercises for me as this is very close to what I already practice. The exercise of universal Loving Kindness wants you to repeat these phrases to yourself ten minutes-

May all individuals gain freedom from suffering
May all individuals find sustained health, happiness, and wholeness
May I assist all individuals in gaining freedom from suffering
May I assist all individuals in finding health, happiness, and wholeness. (Dacher, 2006)

I already practice a similar meditation, the only difference being the phases I repeat. I guess you could say I practice positive affirmations or intention. I am a big believer in what you think becomes who you are. If you think you will always be poor then you will. So I choose to think-

I live in an abundant universe. I have what I need and I will be fine. When I am feeling unwell I repeat to myself, “I’m healthy and I am attracting healing to me, I refuse the sickness.” When I am feeling unsure of myself as a writer or photographer, I say, “I am a writer and photographer and no one can take that from me.” I also use, “I am whole and perfect as I was created.” I have many others. 

But I think one will have success with the current exercise if they truly love themselves. If we do not truly love ourselves then it is difficult to spread the loving kindness the exercise wants us to do.

I think I need to work on my community skills and social activism as well as emotions. The universal loving-kindness exercise could help open me up to all of those areas. Emotionally I could practice being more open to others and as for the others I need to find something I am passionate about and go out and change it.

Reference

Dacher, E. (2006). Integral health: The path to human flourishing. Laguna Beach, CA: Basic Health Publications.