Putting it into practice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In medical facilities you often hear undertones of the loving kindness philosophy being described as” a warm bedside manner”, or “Tender Love and Care”.   Even many physicians are opening up to the need a more compassionate approach to healthcare.  After all, the Oath of Hippocrates alludes to loving kindness when it states, that the competent and caring physician will "give no deadly medicine to anyone" and will "abstain from every voluntary act of mischief and corruption." Followed by "Care for others without qualifications.... Simply based on their existence, we owe other persons our regard, our love."

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Conclusion

An essential goal in ethical health care is to strive constantly toward loving kindness for the benefit of ourselves, and our clients.  We also strive to be mindful of our own thoughts and actions and how they might affect our clients. Anyone wishing apply these principles to their massage practice may begin simply by cultivating a more positive attitude toward their patients, smiling at them, wishing them well, listening to them, being present with them, paying attention to them, learning from them, and viewing the most difficult among them as a test of one's progress along the path of tolerance and understanding.