“There is a saying in the Buddhist tradition: ‘You can explore the universe looking for somebody who is more deserving of your love and affection than you are yourself, and you will not find that person anywhere.'”
So begins the chapter written by Sharon Salzberg on The Power of Loving-Kindness, excerpted from Handbook for the Heart: Original Writings on Love by Benjamin Shield, Ph.D., Richard Carlson, Ph.D.
Two of Us Riding Nowhere
Sharon Salzberg is a spiritual teacher and co-founder of the Insight Meditation Society. Here’s a short excerpt from her chapter:
The power of love or loving-kindness has been denigrated in our culture. There’s a sense that a loving person is abused, allows tyranny to reign without protest, and isn’t strong. It’s almost a sense that love is a weakness. Sometimes there is the idea that the loving heart makes people kind of smirky and sentimental – that because of love, they can’t look at suffering clearly or at difficult things within themselves or in the world. I think we have to do a radical re-visioning and come to understand the power of the loving heart. Continue reading here…
Loving-Kindness is a beautiful practice, and benefits not only the person practicing, but all the world. This is a well written piece, a truly worthwhile read. I hope you’ll continue to read the rest of her chapter. Whether you’re new to this practice, or are very familiar with it, I believe you’ll be glad you did.
The whole book sounds wonderful, and I look forward to reading it. So many wonderful teachers have contributed to it.
Handbook for the Heart includes writings by thirty-four spiritual teachers including:
• Nathaniel Branden
• Leo Buscaglia
• Deepak Chopra
• Stephen R. Covey
• Betty Eadie
• Shakti Gawain
• Louise L. Hay
• Harville Hendrix
• Harold Kushner
• Hugh and Gayle Prather
• James and Salle Merrill Redfield
• Bernie Siegel
• Andrew Weil
• Marianne Williamson
• and others
I’ll leave you today with a Metta Blessing, and much love to you all. ♥
May you be healthy.
May you be happy.
May you live in ease and well being.
May you and all sentient beings be free from suffering.
May you be completely healed.
Thanks for the recommendation, Karen. Many of my favorite authors on that list. May you enjoy the rest of the book.
Thanks, Judi! What a wonderful group of teachers in this book! I feel sure to enjoy it. 🙂
Beautiful flower photography. The color and detail is gorgeous. I love the post too. That is a very wise group of writers and I loved the blessing at the end. Back at you sweet lady.
Cheers!
Julie
Julie Magers Soulen Photography