How do we meditate on Loving kindness for loved ones?

9. How do we meditate on Loving kindness for loved ones?

Before we meditate on Loving kindness for loved ones, please meditate on the following outlines:

9a. Think sincerely about our parents or friends kindness. (1 minutes)

9b. Remember how parents and friends kindness have contributed your life. (1 minutes)

9c. Remember some difficulties that your parents or friends have sacrificed for you. 
     (1 minutes)

9d. Develop a genuine intention to meditate on Loving kindness meditation to honour or repay their kindness. (1 minutes)

9e.Once we have an understanding why we need to meditate on loving kindness for loved ones, then we will do some meditation on inhaling and exhaling the breath. (approx 5 minute)

9f. Next, we will combine the breath following meditation with tonglen, giving and taking attitude practice for loved ones (approx 10 minutes)

Make sure your eyes are gently closed. Imagine a halo light at your heart as a symbol of your loving kindness mind. Briefly imagine your parent sitting in your front, and then imagine siblings, relative, friends, or people who are important to you, are sitting around you.

Firstly, as you breathe out, send your parent or important person, a comforting light from your heart that has a feeling of your Loving kindness. Then as you breathe in, imagine you are slowly taking out their difficulties in the form of smoke or grey clouds and bring them towards you along with your breath and feel that the smoke or grey clouds has disappeared into your self cherishing heart. Imagine now that your parent or your important person has felt a greater sense of comfort.

Secondly, imagine from your loving kindness heart, sending out food, clothes, money, houses, gardens, whatever he or she may need.

Thirdly, imagine from your loving kindness heart, sending out your loving kindness wishes, compassion, strength, whatever he or she may need.

Fourthly, imagine his or her needs were generously provided and he or she now feels safe and loved.

9g. Now, repeat the following four line prayers for three times, while dedicating it to your loved one. As you repeat the prayers, also focus on the meaning of each line.

May you be happy

May you never separate from happiness

May you be joyful

May you know peace (3 times)