Mother’s Day Mindfulness Meditation

Wishing you a Mindful Mother’s Day! Whether you are spending time with your Mother, with your children, with your spouse, with your friends, with your pets, at work, time alone, or all of the above, you may find the following meditation practice helpful in experiencing greater joy and peace, no matter what your mothering experiences have been. This practice can be particularly helpful for those who have some pain associated with motherhood, perhaps loss of a mother or loss of a child, or painful relationship issues.

This is the practice of Metta, which means Lovingkindness. What better way to describe the qualities of true mother-nature? Loving…kind…nurturing. To begin the meditation, take several slow deep breaths and let go of mental and physical tension on each outbreath. Make a conscious choice to set aside judgments, release all past stories about being a mother or having a mother and embrace the qualities of this meditation, even if it is just for now.

This abbreviated version of the original Metta meditation is simple, sweet, and powerful. We start by mothering ourselves, blessing ourselves with lovingkindness so that we have lovingkindness to share.

Slowly and peacefully, say silently or out loud:

May I be safe.
May I be happy.
May I be well.
May I be free.

Settle in to each statement, allowing yourself to really feel the blessings. Once you are able to feel the safety, the happiness, the wellbeing, the freedom, move to the next level.

Think of someone or several people or your pets that you love, (perhaps your mother). Slowly and peacefully, say silently or out loud:

May (name) be safe.
May (name) be happy.
May (name) be well.
May (name) be free.

Repeat this meditation for friends….Then for acquaintances….Then for strangers…. For those across the country….Expand your circle of blessing out until you include even those who are most difficult for you (perhaps your mother!).

Practicing Metta is a way to “mother” ourselves to fullness of lovingkindness. This is my Mother’s Day wish for you:

May you be safe.
May you be happy.
May you be well.
May you be free.