Loving kindness

Loving kindness:

Here are just a few of the places the bible mentions "loving kindness":

Psalms 36:7:  How excellent is thy loving kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. 

Psalms 69:16:  Hear me O Lord; for thy loving kindness  is good: turn unto me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies. 

Isaiah 63:7:  I will mention the loving kindness of the Lord, and the praises of the Lord, according to all that the Lord hath bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he hath bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude of his loving kindnesses.

So, what of "Loving kindness"?

Loving kindness is a specific kind of love conceptualized in various religious traditions, both among theologians and religious practitioners as a form of love characterized by acts of kindness.   The term is used often in the book of Psalms, and refers to acts of kindness motivated by love.  It is used primarily in reference to God rather than people. 

Loving kindness is an essential and distinctive quality of God.  The prophets taught that it should also characterize His people.  In Micah 6:8 we are told that God wants us "to be fair and just and merciful and to walk humbly with your God".  Then in Zechariah 7:9, "to be merciful and kind to everyone." The word "loving kindness" is not found in the New Testament, but as its equivalent we find "mercy", "goodness", and "brotherly love". I believe we are called to practice "random acts of kindness"  to those we know and to those we don't know.  We should look for opportunities to do this. 

 

The cultivation of benevolence is a popular form of meditation in Buddhism.   It is called "metta" or "metta bhavana" and is wishing all people loving kindness.   

To practice the loving-kindness meditation sit in a comfortable and relaxed position.  Take 2 or 3 deep breaths with slow, long, and complete exhalations.  Let go of any concerns or preoccupations.  For a few minutes feel or imagine the breath moving through the center of your chest - in the area of your heart.   Sitting quietly mentally repeat slowly and steadily the following phrases:

• May I be happy
• May I be at ease
• May I be safe
• May I be healthy
• May I be strong

The traditional approach is best known for identifying successive stages of meditation during which  one progressively cultivates benevolence towards:

1. oneself
2. a good friend
3. a "neutral" person
4. a difficult person
5. all 4 of the above
6. then gradually the entire universe

So, as Ellen DeGeneres would say, "Be kind to one another."

God love you!