Recently, I joined an online meditation group consisting of people from all over the world. It was a magical experience and helped me nourish my heart. One of the lessons I have learned is to practice loving-kindness by paying attention to my breath when listening to others.
What does it mean to truly love someone?
I have always wondered how to sincerely love others and the meditations gave me the simple answer: "To love others, I need to listen."
It's hard for me because I tend to listen to respond rather than being with others. It makes me close my soul and not aware of other feelings. It makes me express my personal ego and lose the opportunity to explore the vast world in others' minds.
This noon, I had the opportunity to meet a friend on campus that I have prejudices. And I practice listening, pay attention to my breathing to dispel the feeling of wanting to talk about myself, pay attention to her eyes, her emotions. Then let my curiosity take me away, I ask her about her story. I realized she was a wonderful girl with a brave heart. She lived in an incredibly difficult family situation, faced class discrimination and poverty. With courage, she still held her head high and tried her best in life. I couldn't hold back and cried when she talks about her life experiences then I felt my heart filled with love, tolerance, and emotion.
In the past, I thought loving-kindness was something sublime, but it turns out to be a simple thing that can be practiced every day. With just one simple act, I practice noticing my breath when talking to others then I can create a space in my soul to make room for curiosity and love.
I want to thank you - the girl with a brave heart and my dear friend Jack, who practices meditation with me every morning. I want to say that I love you guys so much and I wish the best will happen to you.
And now, please take a breath with me!
Comments