True Love

This week's LTMC mindfulness topic naturally presented as True Love given our Valentine's week. As we sat in the lotus room soaking up a robin-egg blue morning, we noticed the transition to increased light and the square of sky breaking through the snow-encrusted skylight! After sitting together, the 3rd mindfulness training was read to anchor our discussion:

True Love

Aware of the suffering caused by sexual misconduct, I am committed to cultivating responsibility and learning ways to protect the safety and integrity of individuals, couples, families, and society. Knowing that sexual desire is not love, and that sexual activity motivated by craving always harms myself as well as others, I am determined not to engage in sexual relations without true love and a deep, long-term commitment made known to my family and friends. I will do everything in my power to protect children from sexual abuse and to prevent couples and families from being broken by sexual misconduct. Seeing that body and mind are one, I am committed to learning appropriate ways to take care of my sexual energy and cultivating loving kindness, compassion, joy and inclusiveness – which are the four basic elements of true love – for my greater happiness and the greater happiness of others. Practicing true love, we know that we will continue beautifully into the future.

As a community, we discussed the refreshing awareness that seems to be penetrating the young adult population regarding the desire for a long-term commitment before the intimacy of sex. A favorite line of the above training is..."Practicing true love, we know that we will continue beautifully into the future." Imagine actively committing to cultivating loving kindness, compassion, joy and inclusiveness and the ripple effect such actions have on all generations to come. What are ways in which you cultivate elements of true love? Lake Tahoe Mindfulness Community hopes your Valentine's week was filled with opportunities to practice.