#truelove #allowing #dating
Filmmaker Tatia Pilieva managed to capture that transformation in her short film, where she pairs off 20 strangers and asks them to kiss.
Watch above as the couples’ uncomfortable introductions turn into small, sweet romantic moments.
h/t BuzzFeed
When we were on our honeymoon we had the joy to sit with the Dalai Lama at his residence in McLeod Ganj, India. He held our hands and spoke about how his religion is kindness. It made us wonder how the world would be a better place if we all were just a little bit kinder. Luckily, he shows us the way to such an ideal through his daily practice of meditation.
Meditation connects us to our innate kindness, like that of a mother watching her new born and making sure all is well. This kindness is within us all, though we may be out of touch with it. Meditation is paying attention to what is happening within and around us, and it changes us because through it we widen our perspective from being me-centered to other-centered; we go from being only able to see ourselves and our own viewpoints to seeing a much bigger picture that contains everything through compassionate and kind eyes.
We open our heart to ourselves with tenderness, seeing ourselves just as we are, maybe for the first time, opening with a heart as big as the Universe. In the same way we open to all others, seeing them just as they are, without likes or dislikes prejudicing our view. Which immediately shows us that, fundamentally, there is no difference between us. Out of this arises a natural, impartial kindness.
Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible. The Dalai Lama
1. Become a friend to yourself
It’s inevitable when we sit quietly with meditation as a companion that we will discover a new level of self-acknowledgment and self-friendship. We are kinder and more accepting of who we are, less concerned with superficial appearances or image.
2. Think of others equally
As we open to ourselves we become more aware that we are not alone here, that there is an intricate inter-dependence between all beings: We all want to be happy, and we are all doing our best to fulfill that. We see that no one is more important than another.
3. Be forgiving
As we see that all beings are striving to find happiness so we can be more tolerant, accepting, caring and forgiving of each other. We all make mistakes — if we didn’t then we would be like robots rather than humans. As we can forgive ourselves for mistakes, we can forgive others. Perfection is our ability to see our (or their) imperfections!
4. Do random acts
Kindness doesn’t need to be applauded. In fact, often the greatest act of kindness is that which goes unseen. A simple smile can sometimes be the greatest gift of all. Practice kindness wherever and however you can.
5. Pick yourself up every time you fall
Giving kindness includes giving it to ourselves. We are often hard on ourselves, finding fault, criticizing, or feeling embarrassed of perceived mistakes. Meditation creates an inner strength and confidence that enables us to get up over and over again. And if we get up just one time more than we fall then we can’t fail!
We have a photograph at home of Bishop Tutu with his hands held in prayer position. Underneath it are his words, Please make it fashionable to be compassionate. That photograph is many years old yet his words are even more relevant today. Is it not time to make compassion fashionable, to make kindness cool, to make consideration and care hot topics?
Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t
hurt them. The Dalai Lama
Anytime Kindness
Whenever we get stressed we tend to close our hearts toward others. We get a “couldn’t care less” attitude — nothing matters but our own issues. By developing a more loving and caring attitude, we find more joy and certainly less stress.
Every time you feel rushed, irritated, annoyed or upset, sit quietly and silently repeat: May I be happy or May I be filled with loving kindness.
If you can do this for one day then follow it the next day with: May you be well or may you be happy to each person you see or meet. It’s important not to tell them — just feel it in your heart. You can do this to people in an elevator, at work, in the street or at home.
Silently repeat may you be filled with loving kindness when your partner or boss is upset or angry with you, or when someone is criticizing you. The more you do this, the more you’ll release the hook inside yourself so that anger cannot land.
If a day feels easy, try a whole week. Let friendliness and kindness grow within you. Make it your goal to become a more loving and kinder person.
How can you be kinder? Do comment below. You can receive notice of our blogs by checking Become a Fan at the top.
Award-Winning Authors Ed and Deb of Be The Change, How Meditation Can Transform You and the World are mindfulness, meditation and yoga experts. Deb’s new novel: Merging: Women in Love — what happens when you fall in love with the least likely person of the least likely gender? – and she is the author of Your Body Speaks Your Mind, now in 19 languages. They have three meditation CDs. See more at EdandDebShapiro.com
By Jennifer D’Angelo Friedman
If a star was born at the 2014 Winter Olympics in Sochi, Russia, it has to be Jamie Anderson, the fresh-faced 23-year-old snowboarder who credits yoga with helping her grab the gold in the inaugural Women’s Slopestyle Event.
While Anderson doesn’t think yoga should be an Olympic sport, she certainly brought her vinyasa practice to the Olympics. Below, the nature-loving California girl tells us how she chilled out with meditation, mala beads, and a few relaxing poses the night before her big win.
1. Do you believe your yoga practice helped you win the gold?
I feel yoga has helped me with everything in my life. Especially my snowboarding; between the strength, flexibility, balance and meditation aspects of yoga, it has helped me in so many ways!
2. You did yoga the night before your gold-winning run to relax. Are there any especially calming/de-stressing poses that you love?
I just flow with whatever I’m feeling, Downward Dogs, a few vinyasas and some balancing and stretching poses. Yoga always helps me slow down, be present and be grateful for my health and well-being.
3. You’ve said your favorite poses are variations on Handstand and Scorpion. Why? Any other favorite poses?
I love to get inverted! I also just love to challenge myself with balancing poses. It feels really good, and is really good for your health.
4. What are your favorite poses for building core strength?
Plank, and a great one for the abs is Headstand, while elevating your legs from the core, but not kicking up to headstand, slowing bringing your legs up to vertical. [Do it a] few times, it will get you!
5. Do you meditate as well? We heard you did a mantra the night before your big win.
Meditation is a big part of my life. I have recently been focusing on an energy-cleansing meditation, focusing on releasing any stagnant energy I’ve absorbed that is not serving me in a positive light, and letting go and making room for the good, positive energy. I was doing a mantra the night before to help myself relax and sleep. I was chanting Om Shanti — a 108-count around my mala beads.
6. You also wore your mala beads when you won the gold. Do you believe they helped you win?
I love my mala beads! A yoga teacher and friend named Leslie Ross made them for me and blesses each stone with positive energy… focusing on achieving your dreams and goals and grounding your energy.
7. We hear that you keep a power stone and a medicine bundle. Can you explain?
My personal medicine bundle is my backpack that I have at the top of the course. Each person’s medicine bundle is different and sacred, and not to be spoken of. I have some goodies in my bundle. And my power stone is a quartz crystal that I love and wear almost every day. The crystals come and go in my life. When I lose them I know it’s for the highest good, and to either give that energy back to the Earth (if I lose them on mountains or somewhere in nature) or if it’s supposed to go to somebody else to enjoy. It’s also good practice to let go of attachment.
8. What is your typical diet?
Mostly vegetarian. I try to eat a plant-based diet, but it is challenging in the winter months and traveling all the time. I just do my best every day to eat healthy, wholesome foods.
9. Your 85-year-old “spirit grandma” was cheering you on in Sochi. Who is she?
My spirit grandma is Gabriella and she is so precious! She is my neighbor at home and we just met a few years ago, and really connected. She doesn’t have any grandchildren and my grandparents on my father’s side passed away when I was young, my mother’s parents are on the East Coast and I love them dearly, but don’t get to spend a lot of time with them. So meeting Gabi, and having that special grandmother/granddaughter connection [where we] go for walks, ride bikes or swim, is so special to me.
10. You said you imagined your run when you won the gold. How does visualization help?
I think visualization helps a ton! I’ve been competing for a long time, and I truly believe if you can see and believe, you are capable.
GPS Guides are our way of showing you what has relieved others’ stress in the hopes that you will be able to identify solutions that work for you. We all have de-stressing “secret weapons” that we pull out in times of tension or anxiety, whether they be photos that relax us or make us smile, songs that bring us back to our heart, quotes or poems that create a feeling of harmony, or meditative exercises that help us find a sense of silence and calm. We encourage you to look at the GPS Guide below, visit our other GPS Guides here, and share with us your own personal tips for finding peace, balance and tranquility.
Who isn’t ready for the start of spring? There’s the promise of warmer weather and growing flowers — not to mention it’s been scientifically proven that sunshine can make us happier. But the beautiful blooms aren’t just a symbol of the season — they also carry meaning. Daffodils and jonquils, the birth flowers of March, represent love and sympathy. Next time you need a little mindful break from the final leg of winter, check out the slideshow below and get inspired to embody the true spring spirit.
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Allowing true love. Books and Subliminal Audios 