“This love meditation is adapted from the Visuddhimagga by Buddhaghosa, a 5th century C.E. systematization of the Buddha's teaching. We begin by practicing the love meditation on ourselves ("May I"). Until we are able to love and take care of ourselves, we cannot be much help to others. After that, we practice them on others ("May he/she/they") - first on someone we like, then on someone neutral to us, and finally on someone who makes us suffer. May I be peaceful, happy, and light in body and spirit.May I be safe and free from injury.May I be free from anger, afflictions, fear and anxiety.May I learn to look at myself with the eyes of of understanding and love.May I be able to recognize and touch the seeds of joy and happiness in myself.May I learn to identify and see the sources of anger, craving, and delusion in myself.May I know how to nourish the seeds of joy in myself every day.May I be able to live fresh, solid, and free.May I be free from attachment and aversion, but not indifferent.Love is not just the intention to love, but the capacity to reduce suffering, and offer peace and happiness. The practice of love increases our forbearance, our capacity to be patient and embrace difficulties and pain. Forbearance does mean that we try to suppress pain.”

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About Thich Nhat Hanh

Vietnamese Buddhist monk and peace activist of the 20th and 21st centuries, Thich Nhat Hanh is best known for founding the Plum Village monastic community and promoting mindfulness as a path to personal and global healing. His teachings blend Zen meditation, engaged Buddhism, and accessible spiritual practice, emphasizing presence, compassion, and nonviolence in daily life.

More from Thich Nhat Hanh (183 quotes) →
"This love meditation is adapted from the Visuddhimagga by Buddhaghosa…" — Thich Nhat Hanh | Daily Quotes