Love is shown and visible through its fruits, its action. We can be sitting in a room thinking about loving someone or doing some charity work, but until we actually act upon it, using energy to make our ideas come about, we don't see the love.

I love my family. How do they know it? By my service on their behalf, my listening ear, my smiles at them, my affectionate embraces.

Family is the place to start showing actions of love, then branching out to friends, community and the greater world.

In the family we show our love by taking care of each other. We show friends we love them by listening to them and helping out as needed. And the community feels our love when we participate in improvement projects amongst other activities.

Let's use this meditation to awaken ways we can show our love

Begin by choosing a quiet place to sit upright, either on a cushion or a chair. If on a chair keep the soles of your feet firmly planted on the floor for balance. Fold your hands in your lap or place them palms up or palms down on your thighs.

Close your eyes and begin calm regular breathing such as one count to breathe in and one count to breathe out. Continue this rhythm throughout your meditation without speaking the numbers.

Think of ocean waves washing against the shoreline, then receding. Each breath renewing the body with oxygen and releasing carbon dioxide. If you are meditating in a lush garden you are really in a symbiotic relationship with the greenery that supplies oxygen and uses your carbon dioxide.

After of minute of paying attention to your breathing turn your thoughts to loving action. If you have not been very active in your community, what can you do to show you care about others beyond your family?

You could join a community service organization, you'll meet other like-minded people. Your combined enthusiasm can improve the lives of community members with recreation opportunities, or provide service to seniors or shut-ins.

Resolve to outreach more to family or community and after your meditation write your ideas for love in action in your meditation journal.

Quietly say an appreciation for the love you receive in your life.

Finish your meditation by taking in a deep breath and slowly releasing it. Open your eyes and stretch out. Enjoy you peace and spread it around through service.

For offline reading


God Speaks through the Holy Spirit - Reflective Meditations Forge a strong union with the Holy Spirit through the reflective meditation given to use with more than 100 spiritual topics and subtopics for personal and relationship growth. 198 pages.

Article by Susan Helene Kramer

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