Loving-kindness & Mindfulness

If you’re reading this, you’re probably interested in living life as if it matters, from the heart. We all want to live and act in kind, loving ways. Intentionally cultivating love and kindness within ourselves can help love flow through our hearts into our lives, actions, and speech.

The practices of mindfulness and loving-kindness can help you do just that. I teach both mindfulness and loving-kindness.

Mindfulness is the awareness that arises when we intentionally bring awareness into the present moment with openness, non-judgment, and curiosity. Mindfulness, which consists of mindfulness meditation and present-moment attention throughout the day, is said to help reduce stress and anxiety, increase well-being, and cultivate greater adaptability and appreciation for life.

Other beautiful outcomes that arise through mindfulness practice are loving-kindness, compassion, joy, and equanimity. Each one of these “heart qualities” has a specific meditation as well.

Loving-kindness meditation is a practical way to touch our own hearts with love for all beings, including ourselves. As parents, we know that our kids learn from how we treat them and others. So we can lead by example by practicing loving-kindness and mindfulness before or as we explore it with our children. Here's an article that dives deeper into Nourishing the Hearts and Minds of Children, published in Spirituality & Health magazine. My heart’s work is a children’s picture book, May All People & Pigs Be Happy, that teaches loving-kindness and its accompanying curriculum, Secret Superpowers: Strong Foundations for SEL Competencies.

We practice mindfulness for more than just ourselves. We practice for the world. As we practice, we cultivate clear and kind awareness that helps connection and caring flow out to those whose lives we touch, especially our little ones. They learn to be in the moment with love and caring by watching you.