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Cultivate a sense of original love — a universal connection that nurtures joy, safety, and belonging — with meditation teacher Henry Shukman.

How to Do This Practice:

1. Find a comfortable position, either seated with a balanced, unsupported spine or resting back into support.
2. Sense the solidity of your body resting on the earth, recognizing your deep connection with it.
3. Observe the sounds around you, the sensations in your body, and any passing thoughts.
4. Remember that you are not separate. Your nervous system, your emotions, and even your breath are part of a vast, shared experience. You are connected not only to other humans but to all living beings.
5. Sense the loving quality in this awareness—an unconditional, foundational love that is always present.
6. If continuing, remain in stillness and deepen your awareness.
7. When finished, bring small movements into your body, breathe deeply, and return to your surroundings with a sense of connection and calm.

Today’s Happiness Break Guide:

Henry Shukman, is a poet, mindfulness teacher, and author of Original Love: The Four Inns on the Path of Awakening.

Learn more about Shukman’s work: https://henryshukman.com/about

Order his book, Original Love: The Four Inns on the Path of Awakening: https://tinyurl.com/mwv5cuxr

This is part of our series The Science of Love, supported by The John Templeton Foundation.

Related Happiness Break episodes:

Loving Kindness Meditation: https://tinyurl.com/2kr4fjz5
How To Ground Yourself in Nature: https://tinyurl.com/25ftdxpm
Our Deep Interconnectedness: https://tinyurl.com/jthxkpjd

Related Science of Happiness episodes:

How Water Heals: https://tinyurl.com/utuhrnh3
How To Show Up For Yourself: https://tinyurl.com/56ktb9xc
How Holding Yourself Can Reduce Stress: https://tinyurl.com/2hvhkwe6

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We’d love to hear about your experience with this practice! Share your thoughts at happinesspod@berkeley.edu or use the hashtag #happinesspod.

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Transcription: https://tinyurl.com/ye6baxv3