Chapter 58. Lovingkindness

Love is the source and goal, faith is the slow process of getting there, and hope is the willingness to move forward without resolution and closure. 

And these are indeed, "the three things that last" (1 Corinthians 13:13).

People who have these gifts--faith, hope, and love--are indestructible.

– Richard Rohr

One of the most winsome words I know is “lovingkindness.” Of course it’s lovely to me because of the concept it represents. Love and kindness coupled – such a dynamic duo. 

My favorite repeating phrase in the Scriptures is

“The Lord is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in lovingkindness.”

- Exodus 34:6, Numbers 14:18, Psalm 86:15, Psalm 103:8, Joel 2:13, Jonah 4:2

I feel though that I don’t know much about God anymore.

I acknowledge THAT GOD (Divine/Goodness/Love) IS, and I want to believe that the Divine is lovingkind. But in my fogginess around a God concept, I don’t have any idea of what to pray to.

Oftentimes, in these last few years, I am much estranged toward prayer.

“Feelings come and go like clouds in a windy sky. Conscious breathing is my anchor.”

– Thich Nhat Hanh

I breathe. I can pray by breathing – breathe in “Yah,” breathe out ”weh”: the divine of the breath is what gives me life.

“Prayer is nothing more than the inhalation and exhalation of the breath of the universe.”

And I CAN still wish for well, for others and for self, and pray in that way. I am helped immensely by the practice of lovingkindness meditation. 

[Did you know that this practice increases positive emotions? See https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3156028/

And there’s other social/psychological benefits: See http://deesdirt.blogspot.com/search?q=lovingkindness+meditation]

Repeat the affirmations below, or change the wording to suite the person prayed for, as many times as desired.

May I be free from inner and outer harm and danger. May I be safe and protected.

May I be free of mental suffering or distress.

May I be happy.

May I be free of physical pain and suffering.

May I be healthy and strong.

May I be able to live in this world happily, peacefully, joyfully, with ease. 

When ready, replace the "I" in each statement with someone else's name. Gradually widen the flow of love to include: a beloved, a friend, an acquaintance, someone who has hurt you, and finally the whole universe.

“There is nothing better or more necessary than love.”

– St. John of the Cross