The Scripture ~ For the mountains may be removed and the hills may shake, But My lovingkindness (hesed) will not be removed from you, And My covenant of peace will not be shaken,” Says the LORD who has compassion (racham) on you. Isa 54:10
The Spiritual Focus ~ Generosity is the most natural outward expression of an inner attitude of compassion and loving-kindness. Dalai Lama XIV
The Breath Prayer ~ Hesed
The Devotion Many world religions speak of loving kindness as a virtue to cultivate if one wishes to live a whole, healthy, devotional life. In Christianity the term loving kindness (or “lovingkindness”) was coined by Myles Coverdale in his Coverdale Bible of 1535. In Buddhism loving kindness is an English equivalent for the Buddhist term Mettā. In Judaism loving kindness is used as an English translation for the Hebrew word hesed. This term is used often in the book of Psalms, and refers to acts of kindness, motivated by love. It is used primarily in reference to God, rather than people, God’s loving kindness “will not be removed from you.”
There are many practices available to us, to help us focus our attention and intention on creating an “inner attitude of compassion and lovingkindness” as the Dalai Lama says. Some practices focus on cultivating loving kindness practices toward self, some focus on loving kindness practices toward others, in the Jewish tradition it begins by understanding God’s promise of loving kindness toward us that will not be removed.
God’s poetry of loving kindness is as a beautifully woven tapestry throughout the Old Testament, especially in the Psalms. Some folks have a spiritual practice of chanting the Psalms which is not only centering but has been studied by yogi’s as a way to stimulate the vagus nerve that balances our nervous system. Another practice of opening ourselves to God’s loving kindness is to read a Psalm for just 5 minutes, let a word or theme of God’s love … God’s compassion, bubble up from the reading and then sit, meditating on the word for another 5 minutes. Close out this brief practice with some simple heart opening pose. It can be as simple as clasping your hands behind your back and looking up, or for regularly practicing yoga’s bridge pose is a beautiful heart opener. Scientists who have studied loving kindness meditations from all different sources agree that to practice loving kindness for just 15 minutes a day can change your life. A change toward loving God, ourselves and each other with a spirit of generosity.
