During this time, fear can become a theme in our lives through the unknown and uncertainty of this pandemic. More at home self-care practices are needed right now to ensure better health and well-being. The practice of Metta translated as “loving kindness towards all” is a meditation practice that cultivates positive awareness directed towards oneself and the world around you. To practice Metta for self care and to destress, a person quiets the mind by focusing on a specific phrase about compassion, friendship and loving kindness. Jack Kornfield’s phrase below with link to his website is useful for lovingkindness meditation practice. Metta is a practice of deep self-love and empathy towards others to further our ability to both evolve inward and outward. This act of conscious goodwill breaks down any fear we have with our environment and ourselves. The outcome of this meditation practice brings more joy and ease to our body and mind.
In Eastern medicine the emotion of joy is associated with the heart and the heart meridian goes from the heart to our hands. Another practice that can be utilized at home is acupressure. Acupressure like acupuncture stimulates specific areas of the body to encourage healing. In Korean hand therapy the hand forms a microsystem of the body and by applying acupressure to specific areas of the hand we evoke healing mechanisms. The Korean hand map shows different parts of the hand relate to organs and their functions. Today, we combine acupressure points and meditation to encourage self-love and compassion for all beings.
Jack Kornfield’s Metta Phrase: Buddhist practitioner and teacher
May I be filled with loving kindness.
May I be safe from inner and outer dangers.
May I be well in body and mind.
May I be at ease and happy.
This is then repeated but with the
May YOU be filled with loving kindness.
May YOU be safe from inner and outer dangers.
May YOU be well in body and mind.
May YOU be at ease and happy.
Finally, we bless all beings:
May all beings be filled with loving kindness
May all beings be happy
May all beings awaken and be free
May all beings be happy
