The buddhist loving kindness meditation script metta meditation script is a prayer or simply words that we use for developing kindness and compassion. In this program, we consider the considerable power sometimes underestimatedof having benign intentions toward others. Sharon salzberg born august 5, 1952 is a new york times best selling author and teacher of buddhist meditation practices in the west. I have worked through this useful book on loving kindness meditation four times. Jun 07, 2017 in this excerpt from sharon salzberg s the kindness handbook, she teaches us that by repeatedly practicing kindness and generosity with others and ourselves, that is who we become and what begins to feel most natural. Is it possible to reach your ideal state of happiness. Loving kindness meditation script, howto, benefits 2020. Mindfulness and lovingkindness a handful of leaves.
Learn how to practice lovingkindness meditation by sharon. What is a more effective way to deal with an enemy, inner or outer, than locking into separation, hatred and fear on the one hand, or becoming completely tangled up and overwhelmed by it on the other. Compassion for others begins by building a foundation of lovingkindness toward ourselves. She has played a crucial role in bringing meditation and mindfulness to the west and into mainstream culture since 1974, when she first began teaching. A meditation on lovingkindness this meditation uses words, images, and feelings to evoke a lovingkindness and friendliness toward oneself and others. Lovingkindness meditation by sharon salzberg overdrive. In this excerpt from sharon salzbergs the kindness handbook, she teaches us that by repeatedly practicing kindness and generosity with others and ourselves, that is who we become and what begins to feel most natural. In this interview, meditation expert and pioneer of one of the western worlds oldest and most respected retreat centres, sharon salzberg, shares how practicing mindfulness and lovingkindness every day is the foundation for true happiness. She uses her understanding and knowhow drawn from many years of practice to point each and every one of us to the realization that the light of love is already within us all. Loving kindness meditation is mentioned several times in my book balanced positive psychology, along with brief descriptions of what it involves and how it is used. Sharon salzberga teacher of buddhist meditation, author of lovingkindness, faith and other popular books, and cofounder of the insight meditation societyshares an ancient technique known as lovingkindness meditation. This meditation comes from the buddhist practice of loving kindness which is to focus positive thoughts towards others. Lovingkindness practices booklet collection with cartoons. Sharon salzberg on meditation, lovingkindness and the truth.
Renowned meditation teacher and bestselling author sharon salzberg recently presented a workshop at 4th street yoga in berkeley. In these pages, sharon salzberg lays out a stepbystep program for developing mindfulness, insight, and loving kindness in just 28 daysand for taking these practices into the rest of your life. But sometimes the very love and happiness we want can be found just by sitting down. Ive always said that lovingkindness and compassion are inevitably woven throughout meditation practice even if the words are never used or implied, no matter what technique or method we are using. It is particularly helpful if you tend to have negative thoughts or reactions to others. We spend our lives searching for something we dont think we have, something that makes us happy. Sharon salzberg the most compelling part of my practice right now comes in the form of my writing. Sharon salzbergs book illuminates the heart of lovingkindness like a lamp in the darkness, like the clearing of the fog, like a sunrise on a beautiful morningit brings light so that all those with eyes may see.
With each recitation of the phrases, we are expressing an intention, planting the seeds of loving wishes over and over in our heart. Sharon salzberg approaches the buddhist practice with a clear eye and direct explanations that are easy to understand and use. However, i recently spent some time reading two of sharon salzberg s books loving kindness and the kindness handbook, and it was time very well spent. Jul 14, 2014 lovingkindness meditation teaches a traditional practice for cultivating love, and applying it as a lifechanging force.
Im going to start keeping track of when the word open my wordoftheyear shows up in my life. Jul 14, 2014 in this inspiring book, sharon shows us how the buddhist path of lovingkindness can help us discover the radiant, joyful heart within each of us. The insight meditation society is one of north americas oldest institutions dedicated to bringing the lifechanging gifts of mindfulness training to the we. Training to allow compassion and resilience to emerge in the process of. This article was originally posted on the huffington post, march 3, 2011. Maria shriver sat down with sharon salzberg to talk about loving kindness and how we can help others by opening our hearts. Aug 12, 2018 short loving kindness meditation script 5 minutes. Aug 04, 2015 in this video, meditation teacher sharon salzberg shows how to bring the mind of metta, or lovingkindness, to the fore by taking the opportunity to offer wishes of goodwill and happiness to all everyone you see, and everyone unseen. How sharon salzberg found lovingkindness in the darkest of times. Apr 29, 2019 lovingkindness and compassion are the basis for wise, powerful, sometimes gentle, and sometimes fierce actions that can really make a difference in our own lives and those of others.
Now as i look more deeply into lovingkindness, i find that it actually rests on another foundation, the expression of faith. Jack kornfield, author of after the ecstasy, the laundry. She has played a crucial role in bringing meditation and mindfulness to the west since she first began sharon salzberg read more. Her emphasis is on vipassana insight and metta lovingkindness methods, and has been leading meditation retreats. Exploring loving kindness meditation to heal the body with sharon salzberg welcome back to the healing pain podcast with sharon salzberg one way to define mindfulness is awareness of your experience in the present so that your perception of what is happening is not distorted by certain emotions. Users who like guided lovingkindness meditation from sharon salzberg. Sharon salzberg is a new york times bestselling author and teacher of buddhist meditation practices in the west. Users who like lovingkindness meditation from sharon salzberg the mindful practice podcast.
She has played a crucial role in bringing meditation and mindfulness to the west since she first began. Salzberg exposes the warm beating heart at the center of buddhism. Lovingkindness is meant to be done in the easiest way possible so that the experience springs. Sylvia boorstein, turning wheel sharon salzbergs book illuminates the heart of lovingkindness like a lamp in the darkness, like the clearing of the fog, like a sunrise on a beautiful morningit brings light so that all those. Metta is the pali word for friendship or lovingkindness. Jack kornfield, author of after the ecstasy, the laundry reading salzbergs book produces the sense of having been gifted abundantly. In this video, meditation teacher sharon salzberg shows how to bring the mind of metta, or lovingkindness, to the fore by taking the opportunity to offer wishes of goodwill and happiness to all everyone you see, and everyone unseen. Sharon salzbergs book illuminates the heart of lovingkindness like a lamp in the darkness, like the clearing of fog, like a sunrise on a beautiful morningit brings light so that all those with eyes may see. This is a modern and short loving kindness meditation script 5 minutes approximately. Leave it to sharon to explain a big concept in a practical way, with a touch of humor and wit thrown in for good measure. The practice of loving kindness is a powerful method for cultivating this environment of discovery.
Sharon salzberg is a meditation pioneer and industry leader, a worldrenowned teacher and new york times bestselling author. A few weeks ago i listened to a podcast with sharon salzberg, bestselling author of real happiness, talking about equanimity. Sharon salzberg is cofounder of the insight meditation society ims in barre, massachusetts. Sharon salzberg is known globally as a pioneer in the field of meditation.
Loving kindness throughout our lives we long to love ourselves more deeply and find a greater sense of connection with others. With each pass, i learn something new and deepen the effect of metta in my life. Watch as sharon salzberg teaches street lovingkindness. But these feelings can awaken in us the desire for freedom and the willingness to take up the spiritual path. See more ideas about sharon salzberg, meditation and loving kindness meditation. In her book on lovingkindness, sharon salzberg writes. Sylvia boorstein, turning wheel sharon salzberg s book illuminates the heart of lovingkindness like a lamp in the darkness, like the clearing of the fog, like a sunrise on a beautiful morningit brings light so that all those. She is the cofounder of the insight meditation society in barre, massachusetts, and has played a crucial role in bringing asian meditation practices to the west. Influenced by her more than twentyfive years of study with burmese, indian, and tibetan teachers, she teaches intensive awareness practice vipassana or insight meditation and the profound cultivation of lovingkindness and compassion the brahma viharas. Users who like loving kindness meditation from sharon salzberg the mindful practice podcast. Sharons latest book is the kindness handbook sou continue reading.
Nov 30, 2017 maria shriver sat down with sharon salzberg to talk about loving kindness and how we can help others by opening our hearts. Now as i look more deeply into lovingkindness, i find that it actually rests on another foundation, the expression of. Exploring lovingkindness meditation to heal the body with sharon salzberg welcome back to the healing pain podcast with sharon salzberg one way to define mindfulness is awareness of your experience in the present so that your perception of what is happening is not distorted by certain emotions. With gratitude, and at the risk of using a cliche, i can only say that this practice, and this book, have transformed my life.
In this inspiring book, sharon shows us how the buddhist path of lovingkindness can help us discover the radiant, joyful heart within each of us. Sharon has played a crucial role in bringing meditation and mindfulness practices to the west and into mainstream culture since 1974, when she first began teaching. Lovingkindness with sharon salzberg humankind public radio. New age journal reading salzberg s book produces the sense of having been gifted abundantly. The most compelling part of my practice right now comes in the form of my writing. Now theres a deepsounding word that ive heard, but never really understood. Sharon salzberg leads a meditation to help us recognize our own inner suffering with tenderness and awareness, opening us naturally to the ability to love others. However, i recently spent some time reading two of sharon salzbergs books lovingkindness and the kindness handbook, and it was time very well spent. This fantastic, unfolding experiment reflecting on the history of the insight meditation society and spirit rock meditation center, jack kornfield describes the challenges and tensions that have accompanied the movement to bring buddhism to the west and the creative solutions. With its roots in practices said to be taught by the buddha himself, metta is traditionally offered along with meditations that enrich compassion, joy in. Why its okay actually, essential to put yourself first. Sharon salzberg, cofounder of the insight meditation society, offers a guided lovingkindness meditation sending lovingkindess to people we feel neutral towards as well as those we have difficult feelings towards the path to lovingkindness. A simple, straightforward way to learn the most essential practices of buddhist meditation, from one of the most renowned meditation teachers in. Sharon salzberg is one of todays bestknown buddhist teachers.
Sep 22, 2014 the practice of loving kindness is a powerful method for cultivating this environment of discovery. Sharon is the cofounder of the first western meditation center in the us. Lovingkindness meditation is mentioned several times in my book balanced positive psychology, along with brief descriptions of what it involves and how it is used. The power of meditation, and the book just opened to this section at bob dylans induction into the rock and roll hall of fame in 1988, bruce springsteen described hearing dylans music for the very first time. Lovingkindness meditation teaches a traditional practice for cultivating love, and applying it as a lifechanging force. Sharon salzberg on meditation, lovingkindness and the. Lovingkindness meditation from sharon salzberg the mindful. The revolutionary art of happiness, published in 1995.
As one of the first to bring meditation and mindfulness into mainstream american culture over 45 years ago, her relatable, demystifying approach has inspired generations of meditation teachers and wellness influencers. It is taught as a meditation that cultivates our natural capacity for an open and loving heart. Mindfulness and lovingkindness sharon salzberg mindfulness, as the word is commonly used in contemporary meditation teaching, refers to both being aware of our present moments experience, and relating to that experience without grasping, aversion or delusion. Dating back 2,600 years, the practice of metta an ancient buddhist term meaning lovingkindness is a timeless method for unlocking your hearts immense healing resources. New age journal reading salzbergs book produces the sense of having been gifted abundantly. Lovingkindness meditation from sharon salzberg the. Sharon salzberg sharon salzberg is a meditation teacher and new york times bestselling author. Sharon salzberg is a pioneer in the field of meditation, a worldrenowned teacher and ny times bestselling author. Exploring lovingkindness meditation to heal the body with. She has been a student of buddhism since 1971, guiding meditation retreats worldwide since 1974.
It is so easy for us to dwell on all of the regrettable things we have done or said the times when we now feel we. Guided lovingkindness meditation from sharon salzberg by. Sharon salzberg sharon salzberg, a student of buddhism since 1971, has been leading meditation retreats worldwide since 1974. In 1974, she cofounded the insight meditation society at barre, massachusetts with. Sep 07, 2016 sharon salzberg is a new york times bestselling author and teacher of buddhist meditation practices in the west. For a long time, ive focused my teaching and writing on lovingkindness. When we train our attention to be inclusive toward all of lifes happenings, we quickly see the interconnected nature of our lives, and our limited perspective shifts to encompass the greater whole. Sylvia boorstein, turning wheel sharon salzbergs book illuminates the heart of lovingkindness like a lamp in the darkness, like the clearing of the fog, like a sunrise on a beautiful morningit brings. Lovingkindness meditation is unique to our buddhist traditions, and in this book sharon salzburg presents us with an informative body of work on its practice. Sharon has unselfishly shown us what selflove truly means by bringing the buddhas practice of loving kindness to the west.
If you have not done metta before please read the instructions below. Today i was flipping through sharon salzbergs real happiness. This practice of lovingkindness is revolutionary because it has the power to radically change our lives, helping us cultivate true happiness in ourselves and genuine compassion for others. Her emphasis is on vipassana insight and metta lovingkindness methods, and has. Being with dying professional training program for clinicians to learn essential tools for taking care of the dying with skill and compassion chaplaincy visionary twoyear program to serve individuals, communities, the environment, and the world g.