This practice dates back at least two and a half thousand years, and the principles of loving kindness seem to be found in all societies and spiritual traditions.
Loving kindness practice encourages us to be open-hearted and good-natured. We spend time evoking feelings of love in ourselves before offering that love to others. Sometimes in life, weโve felt hurt or wounded, and our ability to love becomes guarded or even shut down. The practice of loving kindness helps us to go beyond these negative emotions and connect again with our soft spot, our natural empathy and kindness, opening up our hearts and enabling us to truly love others.
Scientists have measured the benefits of loving kindness and research suggests that this type of practice can lead to substantial boosts in our happiness and well-being and makes us feel closer to others, even strangers, and react more positively towards people in general.ยน
Want to try it right now?
Here is a 15-minute practice of Loving Kindness.
If you’re in the Brisbane area, Loving Kindness Brisbane are offering a weekly class. More information here.
ยนfrom research by Barbara Frederickson and Emma Seppรคlรค