“Self-Love is self-acceptance.”
Three parts of Self-Love are:
- Respect
- Appreciation
- Trust
Three daily practices are:
- Attention
- Intention
- Reflection
The intention to love ourselves, opens our hearts to suffering, so we can give ourselves what we need. When we see the common humanity with its joys and sorrows it opens our heart, so that we know we aren’t alone. Awareness opens us to the present moment, so we can accept our all of our difficult experiences with greater ease. When we take even a small specific self-loving it gradually changes us.
Together Awareness, Self-care & Action lead to a more warmhearted confident presence as we experience the many difficult moments in our lives.
M.B.S.R. Training Course (overview)
Self-love can be learned by anyone, even those who didn’t receive enough affection in childhood or who feel uncomfortable when they are good to themselves. It’s a courageous attitude that stands up to harm, including the harm that we inflict on ourselves through self-criticism, self-denial, or self-absorption. Self-love provides emotional strength and resilience, allowing us to admit our shortcomings, forgive ourselves, motivate ourselves with kindness, care for others, and be fully human.
New research clearly demonstrates that self-love is related to emotional well-being, lower anxiety and depression. Self-Loving practices support the maintenance of healthy habits such as diet and exercise, and more satisfying personal relationships.