Feeling a sense of loving-kindness, for the folks you are making a presentation to, is the new picturing everyone naked! Ok, I don’t know if that’s true, but I have used this tactic with some success! The reason? Because, according to the principle of cognitive dissonance, it is very difficult to experience two conflicting beliefs or emotions at the same time. And, it has been argued that love and fear, rather than love and hate, are the two opposing base emotions from which other emotions are generated. If we go with this argument, we can use a loving-kindness mindset (or heartfulness – a Tara Brach term) to counter our fearfulness. This is good news when it comes to navigating our most fear-generating social experiences!

Neuroscience suggests that a mindfulness-meditation practice, using non-judgmental, present-moment awareness, increases our feelings of compassion for ourselves, and subsequently for others. In other words, meditation acts as a catalyst for loving-kindness, which can circumvent our fearfulness of others in difficult situations! Namaste!