Dipa Ma: The Life and Legacy of a Buddhist Master

by Amy Schmidt

First stage The first stage is to love yourself, to be a best friend to yourself. Begin by extending lovingkindness to yourself. You can use the following words and mental images to guide you in generating and directing your feelings of lovingkindness. Let me be free of enemies. Let me be free of dangers. Let me be free of mental anxieties. Let me pass my time with good body and happy mind. “Enemies” means both outward enemies and also being an enemy to yourself. Enemies can exist in the realm of our feelings, from the slightest irritation to the full force of hatred and ill will toward self or others. While saying these phrases silently, hold an image of yourself steadily and clearly. If you can’t visualize yourself, try to remember how you look in the mirror.