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Cultivate a sense of original love — a universal connection that nurtures joy, safety, and belonging — with meditation teacher Henry Shukman.
How to Do This Practice:
- Find a comfortable position, either seated with a balanced, unsupported spine or resting back into support.
- Sense the solidity of your body resting on the earth, recognizing your deep connection with it.
- Observe the sounds around you, the sensations in your body, and any passing thoughts.
- Remember that you are not separate. Your nervous system, your emotions, and even your breath are part of a vast, shared experience. You are connected not only to other humans but to all living beings.
- Sense the loving quality in this awareness—an unconditional, foundational love that is always present.
- If continuing, remain in stillness and deepen your awareness.
- When finished, bring small movements into your body, breathe deeply, and return to your surroundings with a sense of connection and calm.
Today’s Happiness Break Guide:
Henry Shukman, is a poet, mindfulness teacher, and author of Original Love: The Four Inns on the Path of Awakening.
Learn more about Shukman’s work: https://henryshukman.com/about
Order his book, Original Love: The Four Inns on the Path of Awakening: https://tinyurl.com/mwv5cuxr
This is part of our series The Science of Love, supported by The John Templeton Foundation.
Related Happiness Break episodes:
Loving Kindness Meditation: https://tinyurl.com/2kr4fjz5
How To Ground Yourself in Nature: https://tinyurl.com/25ftdxpm
Our Deep Interconnectedness: https://tinyurl.com/jthxkpjd
Related Science of Happiness episodes:
How Water Heals: https://tinyurl.com/utuhrnh3
How To Show Up For Yourself: https://tinyurl.com/56ktb9xc
How Holding Yourself Can Reduce Stress: https://tinyurl.com/2hvhkwe6
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We’d love to hear about your experience with this practice! Share your thoughts at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.
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Transcription: https://tinyurl.com/ye6baxv3