You have an inherent wish for well-being and happiness. Ancient traditions can help you cultivate these wishes, regardless of your religious background.

Sit upright with your hands in your lap, the left hand underneath the right, with the thumb tips gently touching. In this dignified position, relax, breathe naturally, quiet your mind, and think these words:

“May I be healthy. May I be peaceful. May all my good purposes be fulfilled.”

Repeat the phrases with an intention of sincerity, self-respect, hope, and will to make it so. Repeat them five more times, believing that you are worthy of this kind of love.

If you continue to practice this loving-kindness prayer, you will feel a warmth in your heart; it is genuine compassion, and you are cultivating love for yourself.

As you experience self-love, you recognize that everyone shares your inherent wish for well-being and happiness.

Choose the name of someone whom you admire or cherish and insert their name into the phrases.

“May _____ be healthy. May _____ be peaceful. May all _____’s good purposes be fulfilled.”

Repeat the phrases a few times, extending loving-kindness to them and hoping they may experience self-love.

Repeat this meditation with the name of a neutral person or stranger, with the name of a dear friend, with the name of an enemy, with all the world in mind.

Give yourself opportunities to do this meditation regularly.