“Becoming your own best friend.”

Quote: "Peace begins with a smile."  ~ Mother Teresa

MEDITATION 

Becoming your own best friend:

• Sit in a comfortable fashion.

• Let your body relax and be at rest.

• As best you can, let your mind be quiet, letting go of plans.

• Then begin to softly recite inwardly the following phrases directed to yourself.

“May I be safe"
"May I be well”
“May I be happy”
“May I be free”

• Smile and picture yourself as a young and beloved child.

• Let the feelings of being held in a loving embrace arise with the words.

• Adjust the words and images so that you find the exact phrases that best open your heart of kindness.

• Gently, repeat the phrases again and again, letting the feelings permeate your mind and every cell of your body.

Practice this meditation repeatedly for a number of weeks until the sense of loving-friendliness for yourself grows.