This week I had the pleasure of subbing the Tubac Community Yoga class. I shared a Loving-Kindness meditation with the group, to close the practice, and something truly marvelous happened. I could actually feel the effects of the practice, as if every little cell in my body were vibrating at a higher frequency.
Have you ever tried Loving-Kindness Meditation?
It can be as simple as saying, “May I be Happy. May my happiness continue.”
You can go on to wish happiness for your loved ones, and for all beings, if you’re feeling generous. It’s a beautiful meditation.
Maybe it was because I was a bit under the weather, and therefore more sensitive, or maybe it was because this group of people was really on board with the practice, but the effects were palpable, and not just to me. We literally felt better. Buzzing, almost.
I’ve guided this practice many times in the past, and often pondered the legend of its origin. Legend has it that the Buddha gave Loving-Kindness meditation to his monks, as an antidote to fear.
Fear?
Fear. He sent his monks out into the jungle to meditate, and they felt afraid. With good reason! The jungle is a pretty fearsome place! So, he gave them the Loving-Kindness Meditation. That always struck me as odd.
Earlier this week, though, a friend sent me a link to a podcast from On Being. You can listen to it here.
Among many fascinating insights, neurosurgeon James Doty shares that compassion practices actually shrink the amygdala, the part of the brain that governs fight or flight behavior.
In other words: Compassion is an antidote to fear.
What’s more, over time, practicing Loving-Kindness, or other compassion-building practices leads to a higher tolerance for vulnerability, the ability to stay in an uncomfortable situation while keeping your head and not getting triggered. Isn’t that amazing?
Maybe that Buddha was on to something… (:>)
I’ll close with this wish for you, this week and always:
May you be happy. May your happiness continue.
Namaste,
Erin