Love

Read this lovely article from Zen Habits that speaks about love.

To love others, you have to first love yourself. Only then can we channel our love to others from our heart:)

I would like to share some inspiring quotes mentioned in the article.

As Buddhist teacher Jack Kornfield says, “Love and compassion are not the possession of any group or religious system. They are woven into our human spirit.”

That's the lovely thing about love. It is so important and fundamental that everyone is advocating it. The article thus suggested a really simple loving-kindness meditation which the Dalai Lama teaches:)

As you breathe in – cherish yourself.

As you breathe out – cherish all beings.

Although I don't know how to explain how meditation actually works, but I have tried before and I can really feel the calming effect within myself. :)

All the time, we tend to find ourselves focusing on what's happening external to us, responding to external stimuli, so much so that we are left with very little or no time to get in touch with ourselves.

So to me, meditation is a way to "go inwards" and direct our attention to ourselves. That's why meditation can also help us become more self aware:)

The simplest way is to first focus on our own breathing. Because that is the thing that is always happening, yet something that we never notice.

So whenever you need some personal time, try focusing on your breathing and nothing else for 5 minutes! See if it works! :)

Love yourself, and you can love anybody else:)