Links to the recordings for this theme:
→ Introduction
→ Week 1 Instructions
→ Week 2 Instructions
→ Week 3 Instructions
→ Week 4 Instructions
I’ve spent a lot of time in my life, focused on my faults — noticing and cringing when I’ve said something “stupid”, berating and insulting myself because I made another mistake at work, or feeling like a bad person because I have negative thoughts about others or even myself.
You might do this too — and if so, you probably also neglect the moments when you’re kind, generous, thoughtful, and wise. And if you keep overlooking all these beautiful qualities, you’ll become discouraged, depressed, and despairing. That’s why it’s so important to recognize your goodness, rejoice and celebrate your patience, generosity, wisdom, clarity, compassion, and love, and develop confidence in yourself — an abiding trust and faith that you can contribute to healing yourself, your families and communities, and society.
Starting tomorrow, every Monday morning this month you’ll receive a guided meditation to help you learn to pay attention to your positive and useful qualities and actions, appreciate your wonderful mind states, and choose to cultivate and develop them. As you practice, you’ll start to see just how valuable you are, and how you can use your thoughts, words, and actions to benefit yourself and everyone you meet — and how you can refrain from causing harm by exercising your good sense and clarity.
Plan to listen and practice everyday, and use the exercises and contemplative prompts to support your efforts. The intention of this newsletter is to help you take care of yourself, so be gentle and mindful—if you need to rest or take a break, don’t be afraid to do so. If you have questions, ask in the comments, and be sure to encourage everyone in our community by posting your experiences as you begin to appreciate your beautiful qualities over the next few weeks.
Thank You
Wow! So many of you participated in last month’s theme, Befriending Powerful Emotions—I’m thrilled! If you missed it or you’d like to access the recordings again, start here.
Don’t forget to save the date! You’re invited to my Book Launch Party on March 7th at New York Insight Meditation Center! Happy Relationships: 25 Buddhist Practices to Transform Your Connection with Your Partners, Family, and Friends will be released by Prometheus Books on February 4, 2025, and it’s available for pre-order now!
See you tomorrow. Until then, may you be safe, feel steady, and rest with ease.
Metta+++,
Kim✨
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