How to Be Single and Happy: Science-Based Strategies for Keeping Your Sanity While Looking for a Soul Mate

by Jenny Taitz

How to Practice Loving-Kindness Meditation Sit upright, with your eyes either closed or open and focused on a single point (wandering eyes can lead to wandering minds). For five minutes, go through the list of groups below, and pick someone in each category to offer the loving-kindness statements that follow: (For example, for my benefactor, I thought of my treasured grandfather, Emil. He’s deceased but I can still really picture him, focused and joyful, and I’d consider each sentence slowly: May he be safe. . . . May he be happy. . . . In bringing his image to mind, I immediately feel warmth and gratitude, then I move on to myself.) A benefactor (someone who naturally inspires loving feelings, perhaps someone who has helped or inspired you) Yourself (“May I be safe. . . .” “May I be happy. . . .”) Someone you know is having a hard time (e.g., Brooke) A familiar face (e.g., your mail carrier) A difficult person (e.g., a neighbor with an incessantly barking dog) All beings, everywhere The statements of loving-kindness go as follows: May ______________ be safe. May ______________ be happy. May ______________ be healthy. May ______________ live with ease. Spend about one to two minutes on a person from each of these categories, really picturing your chosen person as you repeat the phrases above. Also, consider what it would look like for your people to experience the well-wishes above.