Higher Consciousness: Cultivating Unconditional Love
One of my greatest missions in life is to foster, learn, and develop a higher level of consciousness. Why is this important? I believe that this journey is essential for humanity to come together and recognize our interconnectedness. By embracing this perspective, we can experience miracles of compassion, cultivate deeper relationships, and create a world driven by love, where we nurture one another and the planet with intention and kindness. In light of this, I’m excited to introduce a topic on higher consciousness as part of my Wellness Wisdom Blog. I hope you enjoy it!
The brahmavihārā
Also known as The Four Sublime States, these are a set of four Buddhist virtues and meditation practices. In my opinion, these are universal human virtues. My goal is to share my learnings about one virtue per post.
Loving-kindness (metta): A sincere wish for the happiness, safety, and well-being of all beings, including oneself.
Compassion (karuṇā): An empathetic response to the suffering of others and oneself.
Sympathetic joy (muditā): Taking delight in the good fortune or good deeds of others.
Equanimity (upekkhā): A state of psychological stability and composure, free of discrimination and rooted in insight.
Loving-Kindness (Metta)
Unconditional love is a powerful force in human life that becomes easier to express when we acknowledge the commonalities we share with others. When we recognize our shared humanity, we are able to open our hearts to greater empathy and connection. There are four aspects of our shared humanity, and becoming aware of them can reopen our hearts, allowing love to flow more freely.
The Confusion That Closes the Heart
One challenge in relationships is the habit of forming fixed judgments about others based on past experiences or stereotypes. These assumptions prevent us from truly seeing people as they are, leading to disconnection. We have to release these mental constructs in order to connect more authentically with others.
The Desire to Be Well
At a fundamental level, all living beings have the same desires: to be well, avoid suffering, and thrive. Understanding that everyone shares these basic longings allows us to empathize more easily with others, regardless of their circumstances.
Interdependence
None of us exist in isolation. From birth, we rely on the contributions of countless others—family, friends, and even strangers—to survive and thrive. Everything we use and experience is the result of a collective effort, highlighting how interconnected we all are.
The Four Aspects of Love
The instinct of love has four fundamental aspects: connection, empathy, validation, and care. Throughout life, each of these aspects are expressed in three dimensions—towards oneself, towards others, and from others towards us.
Connection is the experience of receiving non-judgmental attention, through which we feel seen, understood, and valued. When we access connection, we are able to see others and can relate with them; we can understand their needs, help them, and care for them. This connection is essential for our existence and fosters meaningful relationships.
Empathy is the ability and sensitivity to resonate with the experience someone is having (whether it's yourself, another person, or a living being). When we connect with someone empathetically, we open ourselves to feel and resonate with their inner state which allow us to understand their needs.
Validation or Acceptance. Empathy is naturally followed by validation—or acceptance—of someone’s experience. This means that not only do you resonate with the person, but you also recognize that it is valid for them to feel that way and to go through what they are experiencing. You accept that their experience is real and do not judge them for it.
Care involves being attentive to someone’s needs and being willing to contribute or help when possible. Care also includes self-care, which is essential for maintaining a healthy balance in our lives. Recognizing and addressing our own physical, emotional, and mental needs is fundamental to offering genuine care to others.
Conclusion
In essence, love is a multi-dimensional experience that encompasses connection, empathy, validation, and care. These four aspects are expressed not only in how we relate to others but also in how we relate to ourselves. True connection arises when we offer non-judgmental attention, allowing others to feel seen and valued. Empathy enables us to understand and share the feelings of others, creating deeper bonds. Validation acknowledges the legitimacy of another’s experience without judgment, fostering acceptance. Lastly, care is about tending to the needs of others, while also practicing self-care, ensuring that we can show up fully for those around us.
When we cultivate these aspects of love in our lives, we strengthen our relationships, nurture our well-being, and contribute to a more compassionate and interconnected world. True love begins within, and only through self-awareness and balance can we extend it genuinely to others.
Thanks for reading this post! I’m thrilled to close this one out by sharing my own first meditation focused in loving kindness.
