Years ago, when I first heard of Bhante Vimalaramsi, I remember being struck by his instructions to smile as a way to generate metta throughout the day. Not much else stuck with me in terms of his method but intentionally putting a smile on my face has been a practice that has brought me a lot of joy and definitely helped to open my heart.
This morning, surely as a result of a seed planted by practice, the thought occurred to me to put on a smile even as I slid out of bed. I was pleased to notice the thought and happy to follow its advice and perhaps it was the reason that this morning’s formal metta bhavana session was so powerful.
“Whenever you find yourself not smiling, start smiling. ”
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“Smile with your mind, with your mouth, with your eyes.”
— Bhante Vimalaramsi
Cattāri Brahmavihārā 
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