Episode 68 - How To Develop Love For All Beings

Episode 68 - How To Develop Love For All Beings

Author: JoAnn Fox: Buddhist Teacher February 15, 2020 Duration: 39:51

This episode is devoted to the meditation of loving-kindness, a profound method to develop love for all living beings. It creates immeasurable good karma, diminishes ill will toward others and creates the cause of our own enlightenment. Scientific research has also been done on the results of people practicing this meditation. 

Research indicates these benefits:

  1. Increases positive emotions. One study showed that seven weeks of practicing the loving-kindness meditation increased multiple positive emotions including love, joy, contentment, gratitude, pride, hope, interest, amusement, and awe.
  2. Quiets your inner critic
  3. Strengthens capacity for empathy
  4. Decreases migraines
  5. Increases compassion 
  6. Slows the aging process. In another eye-opening study researchers found that women with experience in loving-kindness meditation had relatively longer telomere length (a biological marker of aging) when compared to age-matched controls.

Loving-kindness Prayer Within the Meditation 

May you be happy

May you be well

May your body and mind be at ease

May all good fortune and successes in life come to you

May you be healthy

May you have all the wealth you need

May your happiness increase day by day 

May you never know a day of sadness

May you experience the supreme happiness of enlightenment. 

 

Verse 206-208 of The Dhammapada

It's good to see the noble ones; 

Their company is always a delight. 

Free from the sight of fools,

One would constantly be happy.

 

One who keeps company with fools

Will grieve for a long, long time. 

Living with fools is painful,

As is living with foes.

Living with the wise is delightful,

Like relatives gathered together.

 

Therefore:

You should always follow a good, intelligent person

Who is wise, insightful, learned,

Committed to virtue, dutiful and noble, 

As the moon follows the path of the stars. (208)

—Buddha, The Dhammapada

References

Abrahmson, L. 6 Amazing Benefits of Loving Kindness Meditation Backed by Science. Lifehack (blog post). Retrieved from https://www.lifehack.org/361244/6-amazing-benefits-loving-kindness-meditation-backed-science

Buddha. The Dhammapada, translated by Gil Fronsdale. (2011). Shambala, pp. 54-55.


You'll find Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox to be a conversation that feels both timeless and immediately useful. JoAnn Fox, a Buddhist teacher with over two decades of experience, guides these discussions with a genuine warmth and a welcome touch of humor, making profound ideas feel accessible. This isn't about abstract philosophy; it's about the tangible ways these ancient practices can reshape our modern days. Each episode, released every other week, delves into practical applications. You might explore how to cultivate patience during a frustrating commute, find a deeper sense of contentment amidst daily routines, or develop the compassionate resilience the world needs. The podcast serves as a gentle, consistent reminder that spiritual growth isn't separate from ordinary life-it's woven right into it. JoAnn's approach demystifies meditation and mindfulness, framing them as tools for anyone seeking more peace or clarity. Whether you're completely new to these concepts or looking to deepen an existing practice, the conversations meet you where you are, offering insights that encourage reflection and, most importantly, action in your own life.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 230

Buddhism for Everyone with JoAnn Fox
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