First Contemplation Before Meditation - Be Kind and Compassionate Towards Everybody

For all those of you who find it really difficult totimes. Sometimes we have to suffer badly for no
meditate, here is one quick and easyfaults of ours. However, I earnestly request you
contemplation exercises, which, in all likelihood, willto please consider this clichéd but golden
take you into a meditative state instantly.advise that to err is human and to forgive is
Be kind towards everybodydivine. Please forgive those who have hurt you.
Please remember:Think over this: Had you been in their shoes, had
If you are not kind enough with your neighbors, ifyou gotten the same kind of upbringing,
you do not love your fellow men, if you are noteducation, had you been in the same sort of
thankful to God for all things that s/he has givenenvironment, then in all likelihood, you will be just
to you - then forget about meditation. It has nolike them. Please realize that we all are the result
use for you and no meditation technique will helpof our circumstances and thoughts. If people are
you.bad, it is not that they have chosen to be bad.
Before doing meditation it is necessary that weThere are many factors like circumstances,
have a feeling of true compassion for the wholefinancial & domestic conditions, educational
universe. And when I say 'Whole universe', I reallybackground, friends-circle etc. that shape our lives.
mean it. It means a feeling of compassion for all.Just think from the perspective that people are
For each and everybody. A feeling of love,bad because of many external factors over which
compassion and kindness for every living andthey do not have any control. Have sympathy
non-living object. Just be loving to your friend,with them, be compassionate and loving towards
your neighbours, your colleagues, your parents,them and.......forgive them.
your relatives and...... to your enemies andIt appears difficult but is not very tough. To
competitors too !! Yes I mean it.forgive somebody requires some real effort but
It may sounds quite odd, but it is the experiencethe mental peace it provides is worth that effort.
of millions who have meditated. With a bitterNow spread feelings of goodwill to all.
heart and animosity for someone, we simply can'tSay- " May I find true happiness."
meditate . It is simply impossible.Say- " May all people who are close to my heart-
Please do this before starting meditation - just sitmy family, my parents, my very close friends;
comfortably. You can sit on a chair, on bed, onthey all find true happiness."
earth in lotus pose (cross legged) or in anyway ofSlowly start expanding your area of goodwill.
your liking. Close your eyes and send thought ofSay :
good will to everybody. Just say in your mind - " I" May all people on earth- whether I know them
love everybody. My love compassion and kindnessor not, whether I like them or not, they all find
is for everyone. "true happiness. "
It may be the case that somebody has hurt you.Spread this good will to not just people but to all
Somebody has deceived you or you have beenliving creatures in all directions.
the victim of other people's bitterness, ignorance,"May they all find true happiness. I love them all.
smallness or insecurities. Even if such is the case,Everybody is my friend. No one is my enemy"
thank God that he does not make you like them.This internal preparation is a very powerful way
Things could be worse. You could be one of them!of preparing body for meditation and will make
Forgive them honestly and say in you heart" Nowyou very calm. In my next article I'll you about
I forgive them"the second contemplation exercise prior to
I know that it is really difficult to forgive manymeditation.