The path to unconditional love starts with the practice of the beautiful concept of grace. As I see it, grace is made up of forgiveness, non-attachment, compassion and understanding. Grace allows people (yourself) to change, grow and learn lessons. It allows people to change how they act, see and feel. Grace says everyone is worthy of love. Grace has no conditions.
Beyond Mindfulness
During a mindfulness practice, you are encouraged to return to the present moment. That is all well and good, until you return to a place with a vicious inner critic, and harsh expectations and judgments.
When you return to the present moment and return to yourself, you need to return to a place of acceptance, grace and unconditional love.
So when our mind wonders off and we return to the present moment, we need to return to our heart. This is a time to open our heart space and offer ourselves acceptance, compassion and love, letting go of expectations, judgments, regrets, guilt, etc. This is difficult, I know.
We let go of judgments and expectations. We let go of striving for acceptance. We return to ourselves and there we offer ourselves grace.
Cultivating Unconditional Love
The cultivation of unconditional love takes practice. I have included some practices below to assist on your journey. First of all, begin with a simple intention: “It is my intention to cultivate unconditional love for myself and others.” Yes, this is powerful. We are one, and unconditional love is the glue that sticks us together.
With so much love and light,
Shoshanna
Some Practices
Forgiveness of self and others – A somatic practice is useful here, imagining the emotion attached to the judgment and lack of forgiveness in the body.
Self-compassion
Yoga – Opening your heart physically
Mindfulness meditation offering yourself grace
Ho’oponopono – the Hawaiian practice of forgiveness and healing. This powerful practice works on yourself and others.
Ancient Buddhist Loving Kindness Meditation – In this practice, you first offer yourself love and compassion, then others.
Image credit: Photo by Ryan ‘O’ Niel on Unsplash
